ICE Launches “Patriot 2.0” Immigration Crackdown Across Massachusetts
Federal immigration authorities have begun a renewed enforcement surge in Massachusetts, dubbed “Patriot 2.0,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Sunday. The operation mirrors “Operation Patriot,” a May initiative that led to nearly 1,500 arrests across the state. While DHS did not specify the duration of the new operation, officials emphasized it targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, nowhere is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens,” a DHS spokesperson said. The agency stressed that those who entered the U.S. illegally and violated laws would be located, arrested, deported, and barred from returning. The enforcement surge is part of a broader national effort under the Trump administration to ramp up immigration enforcement in blue states.
Immigrant advocacy groups report increased ICE activity across Massachusetts. Jillian Phillips, a volunteer with LUCE, said early morning raids and larger agent deployments have been observed from Boston to the western parts of the state. “We are 100% in the middle of a new surge,” she said, urging residents to stay alert and informed about their rights.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended the city’s Trust Act, which restricts police cooperation with ICE on civil immigration matters. The Justice Department recently sued Boston, claiming the policy violates federal law. Wu stated the city will take legal action if ICE oversteps constitutional boundaries, emphasizing that Boston police already work with federal authorities on criminal cases.
Governor Maura Healey and Rep. Seth Moulton criticized the crackdown as politically motivated. Healey argued that ICE has often targeted nonviolent workers rather than criminals and called the operation “political theater.” While distancing Massachusetts from the “sanctuary state” label, she acknowledged that some Trump-era border policies “make a lot of sense” and support tighter border control.
