ICE, law enforcement partners arrest 370 alien offenders during enhanced operation in Massachusetts

BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement partners apprehended 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders March 18-23.

“The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live.”

During the six-day enhanced operation, ICE and federal law enforcement partners targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street gangs.

“This week’s enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “ICE will use every resource and authority we have to prioritize the safety and security of our communities.”

“Everyone should agree that we cannot and will not tolerate individuals who not only violate our immigration laws but then commit crimes that endanger our communities. Those who enter and remain in this country unlawfully are breaking the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley. “My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that dangerous individuals are identified, prosecuted, and removed, so that the people of Massachusetts can live and work in safe and secure communities.”

205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges. Six were foreign fugitives currently facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering

“Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply can’t permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretenses, with unknown allegiances and intentions. It’s a direct threat to public safety and our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen. “There’s no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts.”

Law enforcement officials seized approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms and ammunition from illegal alien offenders during the operation.

“DEA is proud to have worked with our federal partners in this successful enforcement effort using all of the resources of the federal government to remove violent criminal aliens from our communities, said DEA New England Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau. “DEA has prioritized investigations on those involving violent, illegal criminal aliens responsible for flooding our communities with deadly and dangerous drugs. DEA’s core mission is to keep the American public safe by seizing deadly and dangerous drugs before they get into our communities, and to bring justice to the criminals responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and supplying these drugs.”

ICE and their federal law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release aliens from custody, forcing officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities.

“The successful outcome of this immigration enforcement operation demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division James M. Ferguson. “By targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws.”

“The Diplomatic Security Service is fully committed to supporting the Administration’s priority to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien. “This enhanced operation definitively made our communities safer. DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to conduct passport, visa fraud, and human trafficking investigations and assist in apprehending fugitives to protect the integrity of U.S. borders and prevent illegal immigration.”

Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

• A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with multiple drug distribution crimes, arrested in Boston.
• A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with trafficking fentanyl, arrested in Boston.
• A Chilean alien convicted of 4 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old, arrested in Marlborough.
• A Brazilian alien charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny, arrested in Worcester.
• A Honduran alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14 and failure to register as a sex offender, arrested in Salem.
• A Brazilian alien wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country, arrested in Milford.
• A Brazilian alien wanted for homicide in in his home country, arrested in Lowell.
• A Russian alien charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization, arrested in Medford.
• A Dominican alien wanted for homicide in his native country, arrested in Dorchester.
• A Brazilian alien wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm arrested in Marlborough.
• A Salvadoran alien previously deported from the U.S. and documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years committed arrested in Wakefield.
• A Guatemalan alien charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, arrested in New Bedford.
• A Jamaican alien previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault arrested in Pittsfield.
• A Brazilian alien wanted for in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, membership in a criminal organization arrested in West Yarmouth.

Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were the Boston offices of the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston and @HSINewEngland.