U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal law enforcement partners arrested 1,406 individuals unlawfully present in the United States during a weeks-long enforcement surge across Massachusetts in September, the agency announced.
The coordinated operation — known as Patriot 2.0 — was conducted from Sept. 4 to Sept. 30 and involved officers from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England, and partner agencies including the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to ICE, more than 600 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or pending criminal charges in the United States, or were wanted by foreign authorities. Some were linked to transnational criminal organizations operating in Massachusetts, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street, the agency said.
Three of the individuals arrested were identified as known or suspected terrorists, ICE confirmed.
“Patriot 2.0 exposed the consequences of sanctuary policies and the urgent need for local leaders to prioritize public safety,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, who noted that many individuals had previously been released from local custody rather than transferred to federal authorities.
David Wesling, acting field office director for ICE ERO Boston, said those taken into custody included individuals previously convicted or accused of homicide, rape, child sexual assault, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses, as well as foreign fugitives with Interpol Red Notices.
The FBI’s Boston division also issued a statement, with Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks emphasizing that those arrested “are not harmless individuals in search of a better life” and that the operation targeted individuals who posed threats to public safety.
In total, 277 of those apprehended had previously been ordered removed by an immigration judge but had not departed the country, ICE said. The agency added that many arrests occurred in the community following a decline in immigration detainer requests by local jurisdictions.
All individuals detained during Operation Patriot 2.0 will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings or deportation.
Members of the public may report suspected criminal activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting an online tip.