Intensified Immigration Crackdown in Massachusetts
There's a notable increase in immigration enforcement activities being carried out in greater Boston and other parts of Massachusetts. The operation, called 'Patriot 2.0', has seen a significant number of immigration agents from different parts of the country converge in the area.
Notable Arrests
A Brazilian man, 42, was arrested after an alleged attempt to resist authorities. The man, who had overstayed his visa and was facing charges for violating an order for protection from abuse, was taken into custody as his wife, who identified herself as the mother of an infant, protested his arrest.
Other arrests during the operation include a 39-year-old man from Cape Verde, apprehended in Brockton for overstaying his visa and assault charges, and a 31-year-old Brazilian national detained in Framingham for illegal entry and assault on a family member.
Operation Patriot 2.0
By late morning, around 20 arrests had been made, increasing the total number of arrests since the operation began to just over 100. Officers involved in the operation have come from various places including Texas, California, and Washington.
Other agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Diplomatic Security, are providing support in this intensified effort.
Sanctuary Policies Under Scrutiny
The operation comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed against the city of Boston, its police department, the mayor, and the police commissioner. The focus of this lawsuit is the Boston Trust Act, which restricts the city's cooperation with federal immigration agents. The city's leadership has labeled the lawsuit an unconstitutional attack and vowed not to change its immigration policies.
Enacted in 2014, the Trust Act prevents city agencies from assisting immigration officials in apprehending undocumented immigrants or complying with immigration detainers. Furthermore, a 2017 ruling by the state's Supreme Judicial Court prohibits local authorities from arresting or holding a person based on a detainer requesting law enforcement to detain a noncitizen for up to 48 hours beyond their release time.
There's a belief among some authorities that these policies increase the likelihood of criminal undocumented immigrants reoffending. They argue that removing these elements from the community should be something that residents appreciate, but there's opposition from elected officials and activist groups.
Challenges on the Ground
The operation has not been without challenges. Local activists have been working to inform residents of the presence of immigration officials, sometimes disrupting the efforts of the authorities. There's a sense of frustration among some officials who believe that the average person would not want individuals with criminal records living in their community, but activists oppose the operations ideologically.
The heightened alertness of the community not only makes it harder for authorities to locate and arrest individuals, but it also increases the danger to the officers involved.
Previous Operations
This is not the first such operation in the area. A similar effort in May resulted in the arrest of 1,461 undocumented immigrants, including 790 facing or convicted of crimes in the U.S. or abroad. An earlier operation in March targeted organized crime and gangs and led to the arrest of 370 people, 205 of whom had significant criminal convictions or charges.
There's a belief among some authorities that cooperation with local communities and agencies could help ensure that "bad actors" are not able to reoffend and victimize more people. However, they face opposition from some quarters, which they believe overlooks the potential public safety benefits of such operations.