In a high-stakes operation aimed at tackling illegal immigration, the Deputy Director of ICE’s ERO Boston field office, David Wesling, found himself in the midst of a chaotic scene at a bank parking lot in Everett. At approximately 10:15 a.m. on a Saturday morning, Wesling received word from his colleagues that their target, Ageu Del Almeida Freitas, a 42-year-old Brazilian national, had been spotted. Despite attempts to resist arrest, federal immigration authorities successfully detained him, highlighting the ongoing challenges of illegal immigration enforcement.
As traffic came to a standstill on Broadway, a woman, identified as Del Almeida Freitas' wife, pleaded for his release, exclaiming, “Don’t do this! I have a baby … What am I going to do? … Why did you guys do that?” This emotional moment underscored the complexities surrounding the latest surge in illegal immigration arrests throughout the Greater Boston area.
The arrest of Del Almeida Freitas was just one of many as part of Operation 'Patriot 2.0,' which has seen federal immigration agents converge on Boston and surrounding towns. Wesling noted that the operation is a direct response to the sanctuary policies in Massachusetts, particularly in Boston, where local authorities often do not honor immigration detainers. “Rather than an immigration detainer being honored, they were released back into the community, given opportunities to reoffend,” Wesling explained, emphasizing the potential risks posed by such policies.
Del Almeida Freitas is reported to have overstayed his visa and has a pending charge for violating a protection-from-abuse order. His criminal history includes prior violations related to domestic abuse, although these charges have been dismissed. Wesling’s team began their day in a pre-dawn meeting at a shopping plaza in Chelsea, where he urged his agents to remain vigilant, noting, “You’ve got some individuals with a violent history.”
While the Herald only witnessed one arrest, multiple teams across the state were active, and by 11 a.m., reports indicated that around 20 arrests had been made that morning alone. This brought the total number of arrests since Operation 'Patriot 2.0' commenced on Thursday to over 100. Officers from various states, including Texas and California, joined the operation, with support from multiple agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
In Brockton, for example, a 39-year-old illegal alien from Cape Verde was apprehended for overstaying his visa and facing local assault charges. Similarly, in Framingham, federal agents detained a 31-year-old Brazilian national for illegally entering the U.S. and assaulting a household member. Wesling emphasized the mission’s comprehensive nature, stating, “Our officers aren’t stopping until we get every criminal illegal alien here in Massachusetts.”
The timing of this operation coincided with a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against the City of Boston, challenging the Boston Trust Act, which limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Mayor Michelle Wu condemned the lawsuit as an “unconstitutional attack,” asserting that the city “will not yield” on its immigration policies. The Trust Act, enacted in 2014, restricts local law enforcement from assisting ICE in apprehending illegal immigrants, complicating the enforcement efforts.
Wesling criticized these sanctuary policies, arguing that they increase the likelihood of criminal illegal aliens reoffending. “Removing that threat and criminal element,” he said, “is something that you would think most people would appreciate, but for some reason, elected officials here in Massachusetts and these activist groups just oppose us for the sake of opposing us.”
As Wesling and his team targeted illegal immigrants in residential neighborhoods, they faced immediate community opposition. Activists, including Lucy Pineda, head of Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts, alerted residents to ICE's presence. One woman in the area was seen yelling in Spanish, warning others that “Immigration is here!” Such reactions complicate the enforcement efforts for ICE agents, who must navigate the potential dangers posed by community pushback.
Operation 'Patriot 2.0' follows a previous successful operation that took place in May, during which federal agents arrested 1,461 illegal aliens, including many with significant criminal backgrounds. Wesling highlighted the importance of cooperation with local authorities, stating, “They ignore the tangible public safety benefits that are out there by working with us.”
As the operation continues, Wesling remains committed to ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are removed from Massachusetts, reinforcing the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement policies in the state.
