East Boston, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Over 100 residents gathered at Lombardi Memorial Park in East Boston for a vigil to support Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago and Carlos Chang, community organizers recently detained by federal immigration officials. Attendees shared memories, created a memorial, and encouraged actions for their release. The vigil highlighted ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement and called for public advocacy for immigrant rights, particularly for DACA recipients like Santiago.
East Boston
More than 100 community members gathered at Lombardi Memorial Park in East Boston for a vigil calling for the release of Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago and Carlos Chang, two community organizers recently detained by federal immigration officials. The nearly two-hour event commemorated the organizers’ community work, encouraged letter-writing to one detainee, and raised concerns about recent enforcement actions affecting immigrants who have lived in the United States for many years.
Key details
The vigil drew residents, friends and family who described Santiago, 28, and Chang, 37, as active, law-abiding members of their communities. Attendees created a memorial of flowers and candles and were encouraged to write letters to be mailed to Chang. Both organizers had been involved in campaigns to allow undocumented residents to apply for Massachusetts driver’s licenses.
Detention circumstances
Carlos Chang is an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who had lived in the United States for about 17 years and resided in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was detained on July 29 while working in Maine and is currently being held in a detention center in Tampa, Florida. Family members at the vigil reported difficulty contacting him and described the detention as a source of acute emotional pain for relatives.
Catalina Santiago lived in Massachusetts from 2016 to 2020 and was detained at an airport in El Paso, Texas, on August 3 while traveling for work. Santiago arrived in the United States at age 8 under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary protection from deportation for certain people who were brought to the United States as children.
Community response and public actions
The vigil included tributes to the organizers’ work and personality. Attendees noted Chang’s frequent participation in rallies and community events, including playing drums and bringing energy to difficult moments. Santiago was described by friends as fearless and full of personality and as someone who had contributed to community campaigns and organizing efforts.
Organizers and supporters framed the detentions as part of wider concerns about immigration enforcement. Attendees characterized the detention of a DACA recipient as an escalation in enforcement trends; simultaneous demonstrations were reported in other states following Santiago’s arrest. The vigil also served as a call to action for supporters to document and voice concerns through letter writing and other peaceful measures.
Official statements and reported records
An Assistant Secretary identified in statements to local media indicated that Santiago had a criminal history with charges that included trespassing and possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Advocates at the vigil disputed the characterization and emphasized the organizers’ community roles and clean records in public life. No direct law enforcement or court records were presented at the vigil for independent review during the event.
Background and legal context
DACA, the program under which Santiago arrived as a child, provides work authorization and protection from deportation for eligible recipients but does not confer permanent legal status. Individuals detained by immigration authorities may be subject to removal proceedings, detained pending hearings, or held while immigration status and enforcement priorities are reviewed. The legal status and outcomes for detainees can vary according to case specifics, criminal history, and changes in federal enforcement policies.
What attendees asked for next
Participants at the vigil urged increased public attention, legal support for the detainees, and continued advocacy on immigration-related laws and regulations. The gathering emphasized nonviolent community measures such as letter campaigns, monitoring of court and detention records, and seeking legal representation for those detained.
FAQ
Who were the people remembered at the vigil?
The vigil honored Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago, 28, and Carlos Chang, 37, both community organizers active in immigrant rights and local campaigns in Massachusetts.
When and where were they detained?
Carlos Chang was detained on July 29 while working in Maine and is reported to be held in a detention center in Tampa, Florida. Catalina Santiago was detained on August 3 at an airport in El Paso, Texas.
What is Santiago’s immigration status?
Santiago arrived in the United States at age 8 under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary protection from deportation for qualified individuals who came as children.
What actions did the vigil encourage?
Attendees were encouraged to write letters to support a detained organizer, seek legal support, and continue advocacy efforts related to immigrant rights and local policy campaigns such as access to driver’s licenses for undocumented residents.
Were any criminal charges reported?
An official statement reported by local media indicated that Santiago had prior charges including trespassing and possession-related offenses. Attendees disputed that characterization and highlighted community support for the organizers. No court records were presented publicly at the vigil.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago | Age 28; detained Aug 3 at El Paso airport; DACA recipient; lived in MA 2016–2020; active organizer |
| Carlos Chang | Age 37; detained July 29 while working in Maine; undocumented from Guatemala; lived in U.S. ~17 years; currently reported held in Tampa detention center |
| Vigil | Held at Lombardi Memorial Park, East Boston; over 100 attendees; memorial with flowers and candles; letter-writing encouraged |
| Community work | Both organizers worked on campaigns for state law allowing undocumented residents to apply for driver’s licenses |
| Reported official claims | An official cited past charges for Santiago including trespassing and possession-related offenses; supporters disputed this characterization |
| Suggested next steps | Seek legal counsel for detained individuals, monitor detention and court records, and participate in peaceful community support initiatives |
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: East Boston Vigil for Detained Activists
- CBS News: East Boston Restaurants and ICE
- WCVB: Bystander Shoved by ICE Agents
- Wikipedia: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Google Search: ICE detention Boston
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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