Operation Patriot Yields 1,461 Arrests in Massachusetts

In May 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies carried out Operation Patriot, the largest immigration enforcement action to date in Massachusetts, resulting in 1,461 arrests of individuals lacking legal status. More than half of those detained had major criminal records or pending charges, including murder, rape, drug trafficking, and child sex offenses, and several were wanted fugitives in their home countries. ICE stated that many arrests involved individuals released by local sanctuary jurisdictions that did not honor ICE detainer requests, necessitating at-large arrests. The operation sparked controversy, particularly with the arrest of an 18-year-old high school student who was not a primary target but was detained while agents searched for his father. Local leaders and activist groups criticized the operation, while federal officials defended it as essential for public safety and aligned with the Trump administration's push to increase daily immigration arrests nationwide. Those arrested face removal proceedings or deportation.