Federal immigration authorities announced the arrest of nearly 1,500 illegal aliens in the Boston area as part of a month-long, multi-agency operation targeting the worst offenders hiding in sanctuary jurisdictions. According to ICE, the sweep, dubbed “Operation Patriot,” focused on individuals involved in transnational organized crime, violent gangs, and serious offenses ranging from homicide to child sex trafficking.
In a statement released Sunday, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said the arrests delivered a clear message: “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a safer place today thanks to the hard work and determination of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners.”
The operation ended with 1,461 individuals in custody—many of whom, ICE said, had significant criminal histories both inside the U.S. and in their home countries. Offenders included murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, and child sex predators, among others.
“To any criminal alien offenders victimizing Massachusetts residents, ICE is not going away. We are coming for you,” Hyde warned.
The large-scale action brought together several federal agencies including Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Diplomatic Security Service.
Hyde emphasized that the individuals arrested were not just immigration violators—they were predators who had terrorized communities. “Some were convicted of violent crimes in the United States, and others were wanted for criminality in their native countries. All made the mistake of attempting to subvert justice by hiding out in Massachusetts.”
Among those apprehended were nationals from Guatemala, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and others. Their rap sheets included everything from robbery and assault to sex crimes involving minors and fentanyl distribution.
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah B. Foley echoed the message of zero tolerance. “When someone who is here illegally chooses to engage in crime—when they bring fentanyl into our neighborhoods, sell firearms to gangs, or assume false identities to collect benefits intended for vulnerable Americans—these are not immigrants, these are criminals,” she said.
Critics of sanctuary policies have long argued that such jurisdictions create safe havens for criminal aliens who use legal shields to evade capture. Operation Patriot appears to validate those concerns, with officials confirming that many of the targets had purposely relocated to Massachusetts to avoid detection.
ICE also encouraged citizens to report criminal or suspicious activity through their anonymous tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or online via their tip form.
This enforcement action comes at a time when the Trump administration is doubling down on immigration enforcement, particularly in areas known to defy federal cooperation. President Trump’s latest executive orders have ramped up support for ICE operations and increased penalties for sanctuary cities that obstruct federal law.
With nearly 1,500 dangerous individuals removed in one sweep, Operation Patriot signals a new era of enforcement aimed at restoring the rule of law—even in liberal strongholds. As Hyde put it: “Make no mistake. We’re not going anywhere.”
