Washington, Sept 6 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has initiated a significant operation in Massachusetts aimed at arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants. This operation, referred to as Patriot 2.0, has gained attention from the New York Times and various Boston media outlets. According to reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation specifically targets criminal aliens residing in the state.
The DHS, along with its arm, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is modifying the strategy utilized in a previous deportation surge from May. That earlier initiative resulted in the arrest of approximately 1,500 individuals in Massachusetts. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has not yet provided a comment regarding the new operation. The duration of Patriot 2.0 is expected to span several weeks, as reported by the New York Times, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the situation.
According to one source, the focus of Patriot 2.0 is primarily on immigrants who had been released from custody, despite ICE agents’ efforts to detain them from local jails. The details surrounding the number of federal officers participating in this crackdown remain unclear. This operation unfolds as Chicago prepares for an anticipated increase in deportations under the Trump administration, targeting the third-largest city in the United States.
In a statement reported by NBC 10 Boston, a DHS spokesperson criticized the sanctuary policies implemented by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. These policies are described as not only attracting and harboring criminals but also prioritizing public safety threats over the well-being of law-abiding American citizens. The statement emphasized that ICE is currently arresting individuals classified as sex offenders, pedophiles, murderers, drug dealers, and gang members who have been released by local authorities.
This operation reflects the continuing tensions surrounding immigration policies and public safety in Massachusetts and beyond. As the Trump administration's enforcement measures intensify, the implications for both undocumented immigrants and local communities are significant and warrant close attention.
