Massachusetts Concludes Largest ICE Operation to Date

Massachusetts

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has concluded Operation Patriot, resulting in the arrest of 1,461 illegal migrants across Massachusetts, marking it as the largest ICE operation to date. The operation aimed to target individuals who posed a threat to public safety, with a significant proportion of those arrested having prior criminal histories.

Out of the total arrests, 790 individuals had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, while 277 had final removal or deportation orders. ICE officials reported that many of these individuals had previously been living freely in Massachusetts despite their criminal backgrounds.

Operation Patriot, which took place at the end of May 2025, involved coordination between ICE teams from several Northeast states, as well as support from federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and ATF. During the operation, ICE agents apprehended numerous individuals deemed dangerous, among them a murderer and two child rapists, one of whom resided next to a playground.

Prior to Operation Patriot, the largest ICE operation was Operation Tidal Wave in Florida, which resulted in 1,120 arrests. However, the Massachusetts operation encountered significant challenges due to the lack of local cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions. Reports indicated that hundreds of those arrested had been previously released by local authorities despite having ICE detainers issued against them.

According to ICE sources, the operation was a direct response to Massachusetts leaders not collaborating with ICE efforts. Tensions escalated when Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed concern over the arrest of an 18-year-old high school student, Marcelo Gomes, who was detained while heading to volleyball practice. Governor Healey’s administration labeled the operation as creating fear within communities and making them less safe.

In a press conference, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemned sanctuary policies. He articulated that if local jurisdictions were more cooperative with ICE, such aggressive operation tactics would be unnecessary. He emphasized that the primary goal of ICE operations is to protect public safety by removing violent offenders from communities.

Governor Healey also advocated for due process and emphasized the importance of transparency regarding arrests, particularly concerning individuals without criminal records. She indicated that local laws in Massachusetts hinder ICE’s ability to detain individuals based solely on federal civil immigration detainers, further complicating operations.

The landscape of law enforcement in Massachusetts reveals that 13 of the 14 counties are designated as sanctuary jurisdictions, despite Governor Healey’s assertions that the state is not a sanctuary state. The policies in place limit the capacity of ICE to act, prompting federal agents to find alternative methods to ensure community safety.

Moreover, ICE agents have been facing mounting threats and hostility during their operations, receiving doxxing threats and even death threats targeting them and their families. As Operation Patriot set to continue into June, ICE is reaffirming its commitment to prioritize community safety by focusing on apprehending sex offenders and individuals with criminal backgrounds.