Boston, September 11, 2025
News Summary
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated Operation Patriot 2.0 in the Boston area, resulting in the apprehension of seven criminal noncitizens. This operation follows a nationwide sweep in which approximately 1,500 arrests were made. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston, challenging its Trust Act which limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Local leaders have expressed concerns over the operation’s impact on immigrant communities and have vowed to uphold policies protecting these residents.
Boston
Federal sweep targets criminal noncitizens in Boston area
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Patriot 2.0 in the Boston area on September 6, 2025, targeting individuals described by federal officials as criminal noncitizens. Seven apprehensions have been publicly identified so far. The operation is a follow-up to an earlier sweep in May that led to about 1,500 arrests nationwide, and federal authorities say the effort will be sustained, though exact duration and geographic focus within the metro area were not specified.
Justice Department files lawsuit over local policy
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston, asserting that the city’s Trust Act unlawfully restricts cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Federal officials argue that sanctuary-style policies protect individuals who have committed crimes and impede federal efforts to remove those considered dangerous. The lawsuit accompanies the current enforcement activity and is presented by federal authorities as a legal challenge to local limits on collaboration.
Local and state responses
Massachusetts political leaders and city officials have pushed back against the operation. State executive leadership characterized the enforcement actions as politically motivated and criticized tactics described by local sources as intimidating to immigrant communities, including reported activity near a church on a Sunday. Boston city leadership reiterated a commitment to the Trust Act and stated that local law enforcement will not assist federal immigration enforcement as a matter of policy. Federal officials publicly criticized state and city leaders for not supporting the ICE operation and said sanctuary policies prioritize certain noncitizens over the safety of law-abiding residents.
Apprehensions and alleged offenses
Seven individuals have been identified among those taken into custody during Operation Patriot 2.0. Reported charges and nationalities include:
- Victor Gomez-Perez (Guatemala) — aggravated rape charges
- Kely Yohana Espinosa-Viana (Colombia) — aggravated assault against a pregnant woman
- Brahian Valdez-Placencia (Dominican Republic) — armed robbery and assault
- Joshua Gonzalez Baez (Dominican Republic) — drug trafficking and resisting arrest
- Samuel Armando Barrera-Hernandez (Guatemala) — assault against a minor
- Noe Feliciano Garcia-Majia — reported history of violent offenses
- Paulo Lima Borges (Cape Verde) — prior drug convictions
Limited operational details have been released about how and where each arrest occurred, and federal officials have not provided a full roster or timeline beyond the initial reports.
Legal and historical context
Massachusetts courts ruled in 2017 that state law does not authorize local police to detain individuals solely on the basis of federal immigration detainers. That legal environment underpins Boston’s Trust Act, which restricts local cooperation with federal immigration holds. The Justice Department’s present lawsuit argues that such local restrictions conflict with the Constitution and impede federal enforcement.
Community impact and concerns
Local non-profit organizations and community groups have reported increased fear among immigrants and a decline in participation in community services as a result of current and prior ICE operations. City officials warn that such fear can reduce reporting of crimes and cooperation with local public safety efforts. At the same time, federal authorities argue that robust immigration enforcement is necessary to remove individuals who pose criminal risks.
Broader national context
Operation Patriot 2.0 aligns with a broader federal focus on immigration enforcement announced by the current administration, which has targeted other major cities for increased enforcement activity in recent months. Officials have framed these efforts as part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at reducing crime by removing noncitizens with criminal convictions or alleged criminal conduct.
Outlook
Federal officials indicated that Operation Patriot 2.0 will be ongoing, but did not specify how long the operation will run or which Boston-area neighborhoods will be focal points. Legal action by the Justice Department ensures a parallel courtroom dispute over the constitutionality of local policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. City and state officials say they will continue to uphold local policy measures intended to protect community trust and public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Patriot 2.0?
Operation Patriot 2.0 is a federal enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that began on September 6, 2025, in the Boston area and focuses on apprehending noncitizens alleged to have committed serious crimes.
How many people have been arrested so far?
Federal officials have publicly identified seven individuals arrested in the Boston-area phase of Operation Patriot 2.0. A prior related sweep in May resulted in approximately 1,500 arrests nationwide.
What legal action has accompanied the operation?
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston, challenging the city’s Trust Act and arguing that the policy unlawfully prevents cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
How have local leaders responded?
State and city officials have criticized the tactics used in the operation and reiterated commitments to the Trust Act; local leaders say they will not assist federal immigration enforcement and emphasize protections intended to maintain trust with immigrant communities.
Will the operation continue?
Federal officials have said the effort is expected to be sustained, but have not provided a timeline or detailed list of targeted areas within the Boston region.
Apprehensions: Names, Nationalities and Alleged Charges
| Name | Nationality | Alleged Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Gomez-Perez | Guatemala | Aggravated rape |
| Kely Yohana Espinosa-Viana | Colombia | Aggravated assault against a pregnant woman |
| Brahian Valdez-Placencia | Dominican Republic | Armed robbery and assault |
| Joshua Gonzalez Baez | Dominican Republic | Drug trafficking and resisting an officer |
| Samuel Armando Barrera-Hernandez | Guatemala | Assault against a minor |
| Noe Feliciano Garcia-Majia | Not specified | Reported history of violent offenses |
| Paulo Lima Borges | Cape Verde | Prior drug convictions |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Fox News
- Google Search: Boston ICE operation
- NBC Boston
- Google Scholar: ICE operation Boston
- WWLP
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration law in the United States
- UPI
- Google News: ICE operation news
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
