The Trump administration has initiated a new immigration enforcement operation in Massachusetts, dubbed Patriot 2.0, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. The operation, confirmed to NBC News on Saturday, aims to arrest and deport immigrants, with a focus on those released from custody despite ICE attempts to detain them from local jails.
A DHS spokesperson criticised Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's sanctuary policies, stating they 'attract and harbor criminals' and prioritise public safety threats over law-abiding citizens. The statement highlighted ICE's focus on arresting sex offenders, murderers, and gang members released by local authorities.
The operation is expected to last several weeks, as reported by the New York Times, citing unnamed sources. It follows a May deportation surge that led to 1,500 arrests in the state. The exact number of federal officers involved remains unclear, as Chicago also braces for a similar crackdown.
Tensions between Wu and the Trump administration have escalated since March, when Wu testified before Congress to defend Boston's sanctuary city laws. These laws limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which critics argue undermines deportation efforts.
Wu has defended her policies, stating that Boston is the safest major city in America due to community policing. In response, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the agency intends to 'flood the zone' in sanctuary jurisdictions. Wu has been preparing for potential federal National Guard deployment and reviewing legal precedents to challenge the operation.
