BOSTON (AP) — Immigrants are being detained while going to work, outside courthouses, and at store parking lots in Metro Boston as President Donald Trump targets so-called sanctuary cities in his effort to ramp up immigration enforcement.
Many families have retreated into their homes, fearing the risk of detainment. Advocates have noted an increased presence of unmarked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles in immigrant neighborhoods, with reports of agents targeting work vans. A recent incident involved landscapers working at a municipal site who were arrested after agents broke truck windows.
In response to the tense atmosphere, the city of Everett canceled its annual Hispanic Heritage Month festival, stating it was not appropriate to hold a celebration when community members feel unsafe.
Some public officials, including New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, have supported the crackdown, backing legislation against sanctuary city policies. Recently, an airport near Boston has been utilized by ICE for transporting detainees from New England, leading to heightened tensions.
“This is really increasing the fear in communities, which is already incredibly high,” remarked Elizabeth Sweet from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
Trump's Focus on Sanctuary Policies
Major cities like Boston have become targets for ICE's operations, with officials branding the administration’s crackdown as a tyranny. Notably, Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu has faced lawsuits from the Department of Justice over her city's sanctuary policies, leading to greater scrutiny on immigrant communities.
ICE's latest operations, dubbed “Patriot 2.0,” have been described as targeting “the worst of the worst” among undocumented immigrants. Critics of the operation argue that it contributes to a hostile environment for many innocent individuals.
Detainees are being transported to various correctional facilities across New England, with reports of over 300 individuals transferred from New Hampshire since August. Observers claim to have witnessed these detainees transported in shackles following their arrests.
Families within immigrant communities express anxiety over everyday activities, particularly concerning taking children to school and using public transportation. Many still choose to work despite the risks of detainment.
Impact on Asylum Seekers and Legal Residents
Local advocates emphasize that many of those caught up in ICE's operations are not criminals but individuals navigating the legal immigration process. The administration has been criticized for conflating legal immigrants with those who are undocumented, potentially leading to the unjust detainment of individuals seeking asylum.
As fears among immigrant populations continue to grow, community organizations are mobilizing to provide support and information amid the increased ICE presence.
