In a major enforcement operation across Massachusetts, federal immigration officers, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, arrested over 1,400 illegal alien offenders, many of whom were violent criminals. The operation, dubbed Operation Patriot 2.0, took place from September 4 to September 30, and was aimed at targeting murderers, rapists, child sex predators, drug traffickers, and members of transnational gangs.

The operation resulted in the apprehension of 1,406 illegal aliens, with a significant portion of them being involved in violent criminal activities. These individuals included members of notorious gangs like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street. Among the arrests, more than 600 individuals had significant criminal histories, and six were documented members of transnational criminal organizations.

Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons stressed that the operation highlighted the dangers of sanctuary policies, which allow illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. despite their criminal actions. “Patriot 2.0 exposed the grave consequences of sanctuary policies and the urgent need for local leaders to prioritize their constituents’ safety over politics,” Lyons stated. “Hundreds of the individuals we arrested were violent criminals who should never have been allowed to roam freely in our communities. Local law enforcement agencies released them instead of handing them over to us in a secure environment.”

The operation was led by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England, with assistance from federal agencies such as the FBI, CBP, ATF, DEA, DSS, and the U.S. Marshals Service. While conducting the operation, ICE officials noted that many arrests were forced by local jurisdictions refusing to honor immigration detainers, which resulted in ICE officers having to carry out dangerous at-large operations in residential neighborhoods.

The details of the operation are alarming, with some of the most significant arrests including:

• 277 individuals who had defied federal removal orders.

• 3 known or suspected terrorists.

• Multiple individuals carrying Interpol Red Notices or foreign arrest warrants.

ICE officials also pointed out that the operation succeeded in dismantling dangerous criminal networks operating throughout Massachusetts. However, despite the success of the operation, ICE faced challenges due to sanctuary city policies in areas like Boston. Director Lyons explained the difficulties, stating, “We ended up almost doubling the number of arrests because while we were trying to go after the ones we had planned on arresting, the state of Massachusetts, all through the counties and cities that don’t work with us, were releasing criminal aliens in real time.”

Lyons further criticized sanctuary city policies, noting that these cities “don’t operate Monday through Friday, eight to five,” and often release criminal aliens at late hours when ICE is not present. He emphasized that without full cooperation from local governments, ICE is forced to spend additional resources to track and apprehend individuals who should not be in the country.

All of the individuals arrested during Operation Patriot 2.0 remain in ICE custody, pending removal proceedings. The operation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by sanctuary cities and the need for stronger cooperation between federal and local authorities to ensure the safety of communities.