BOSTON (AP) — Under President Donald Trump’s administration, increased immigration enforcement has exacerbated fear among immigrant communities in Metro Boston. Reports of ICE detentions occurring at workplaces, around courthouses, and in public spaces have left families hesitant to carry out everyday activities. Advocates highlight a surge in unmarked ICE vehicles targeted at immigrant workers, leading to incidents of detainment, as seen through cellphone footage of landscapers being arrested this week.
As communities react to heightened ICE presence, the city of Everett has taken precautionary measures, canceling its annual Hispanic Heritage Month festival to respect community concerns about safety. New Hampshire's Republican officials, including Governor Kelly Ayotte, commended the enforcement efforts aimed at illegal immigration, showcasing a rift in policies between states.
Local advocates fear the crackdown strengthens an atmosphere of fear, impacting the safety and mental well-being of immigrant families, as noted by Elizabeth Sweet, the executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Many families face challenges in their everyday lives, often opting to stay home rather than risk detainment, while still managing to fulfill work obligations.
ICE's recent operations named “Patriot 2.0” have intensified scrutiny towards sanctuary policies upheld by mayors like Michelle Wu in Boston, with criticism being levied at these policies from federal authorities who claim they shield criminals. The ongoing saga has seen more than 300 individuals transferred between facilities across New England since early August, indicating a significant and sustained focus on immigrant enforcement.
While Trump’s administration justifies these operations as necessary to ensure public safety, many community leaders and advocates argue that the enforcement actions often ensnare law-abiding immigrants seeking legal status, resulting in further division and hardship within affected families.
