ICE STORM HITS Mass. – 1,500 ARRESTED in Operation Patriot

Operation Patriot by I.C.E., which led to the arrest of nearly 1,500 individuals in Massachusetts, has brought to light the sharp federal-local jurisdictional divide.

At a Glance

• Nearly 1,500 suspected unlawful immigrants were seized in Massachusetts by ICE during “Operation Patriot.”
• 790 of the detainees had prior criminal convictions.
• The operation proceeded without local law enforcement cooperation.
• I.C.E. emphasized targeting dangerous offenders in crime-ridden areas.

Unprecedented Operation in Massachusetts

In May, I.C.E. conducted a massive operation known as Operation Patriot, resulting in nearly 1,500 arrests across Massachusetts. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted what they described as “criminal alien offenders,” of which over half had significant criminal records. The action was notable for the broad scale of its enforcement, reaching deeply into the community despite existing pushbacks from local jurisdictions that did not collaborate with federal authorities.

Watch coverage here.

Critics of the operation have raised concerns over I.C.E. detaining individuals without criminal charges. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized the agency’s methods, pointing to cases like the arrest of an 18-year-old Milford High School student. She demanded transparency and fair treatment, arguing that without proving criminal involvement, detainees should be released. The federal-state tension complicates the enforcement of immigration laws, spotlighting the jurisdictional limitations that curtail effective coordination.

Watch coverage here.

Local Versus Federal Jurisdictions

Massachusetts has been at the center of a jurisdictional dilemma, following a 2017 ruling that limits state officers from holding individuals on federal detainers. This legal backdrop creates hurdles for I.C.E., which conducted the operation without local law enforcement’s help. Patricia Hyde, commenting on the operation, explained that “ICE and our federal partners targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods of Massachusetts.”

This repeated conflict stresses the need for a more coherent strategy in federal and local law enforcement collaboration. Governor Healey and other critics argue that transparency and due process must be at the forefront, cautioning against the fear generated by such large-scale operations. Still, Todd Lyons, the acting I.C.E. director, defends the enforcement approach, urging sanctuary jurisdictions to reconsider their stance to aid federal efforts.

Watch coverage here.

Enforcement Amidst Scrutiny

Massachusetts faced significant scrutiny as Operation Patriot progressed, with many questioning the ethics and legality of certain detainment practices. The Department of Homeland Security initially signaled the state’s move towards sanctuary status, yet removed this listing shortly after. This inconsistency further fuels the divisiveness over how immigration laws are enforced. ICE, however, maintains its mission to target immigrants with criminal activities, overseen by federal authority, undeterred by local obstacles.

Todd Lyons reiterated, “I think what she needs to do is let the federal government focus on what we’re doing, and get these people, who have overstayed their visa and violate immigration law out of our country.”

Operation Patriot sets a precedent in how immigration laws are asserted amidst challenging local opposition. Balancing enforcement with legal and ethical considerations remains a delicate act, potentially shaping future federal and local government interactions regarding immigration enforcement.