Close to 1,500 taken into custody in a strongly Democratic state during ICE’s ‘Operation Patriot’

Operation Patriot in Massachusetts Nets Nearly 1,500 Arrests

Operation Patriot, described as the largest ice operation to date, has led to the arrest of almost 1,500 individuals in Massachusetts, including those charged with serious offenses like murder, drug trafficking, and sexual exploitation of minors. This significant operation wrapped up on Saturday, resulting in 1,461 arrests throughout the Boston area and beyond.

According to sources, around 790 of those detained had prior criminal convictions or charges, while 277 had final deportation orders. These individuals were reportedly able to move freely in the state prior to their arrests.

Carried out over May, the operation involved ICE teams from various northeastern states, alongside officials from the FBI, DEA, and ATF.

Arrests in Los Angeles

In a separate incident, 36 Taiwanese citizens were apprehended during an undercover operation at a nightclub in Los Angeles.

While embedded with ICE in Boston, Fox News observed agents arresting two child rapists and a murderer who lived near a playground, among others. This operation was reportedly more challenging than previous ones, such as the one in Florida, which saw 1,120 arrests. The lack of cooperation from local sanctuary jurisdictions in Massachusetts complicated matters significantly.

Sources indicate that many of those arrested had been released by local authorities due to the sanctuary policies. Activist groups opposing ICE operations also posed challenges for the agents daily.

Response from Massachusetts Officials

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy publicly expressed her outrage following the arrest of 18-year-old Marce Logomez, a student at Milford High School. In a social media post, Healy stated she was “disturbed and infuriated,” and emphasized her concerns regarding community safety and the federal immigration policies being enacted.

During a press conference, ICE Director Todd Lyons addressed the backlash from state leaders, suggesting that if sanctuary cities altered their policies to keep violent offenders in custody, there wouldn’t be a need for such widespread operations.

Lyons reassured the public that ICE would continue its efforts to keep communities safe from serious offenders.

Recent Arrests Highlight Serious Issues

On the same day as the press conference, another illegal immigrant, Lorenzo Lopez Alcario, was arrested for allegedly raping a child violently. Reports indicate that the child was restrained during the attack.

Former Massachusetts immigration shelter official John Featherton critiqued Governor Healy’s stance against federal enforcement, calling it “reckless” and emphasizing that it fosters a dangerous environment for both ICE agents and the community.