Department of Homeland Security releases details concerning Massachusetts targeted immigration enforcement surge

The Trump Administration has confirmed details on a Massachusetts operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to The Guardian, Operation Patriot 2.0 is a targeted immigration enforcement surge launched by the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security and ICE in Massachusetts, focusing on sanctuary jurisdictions like Boston.

The operation, which began just days ago and is expected to last several weeks, aims to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records who have been released from local custody.

DHS has described the targets as including sex offenders, pedophiles, murderers, drug dealers, and gang members, criticizing sanctuary policies for allegedly attracting and harboring such individuals.

Boston isn’t the only community that has noticed the increased presence of ICE. Fall River and New Bedford residents have also seen detentions and arrests.

This initiative is a follow-up and modification to a similar May 2025 operation called “Patriot,” which resulted in about 1,500 arrests in the Bay State.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has stated intentions to “flood the zone” in non-cooperative areas, emphasizing enforcement against those posing public safety threats.

Local responses have been critical.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended the city’s sanctuary status in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, noting Boston’s ranking as the safest major U.S. city due to community policing, and affirmed efforts to prepare residents legally and supportively for potential federal actions, including National Guard involvement.

Detractors have expressed concern that the targeted operation makes residents live in fear and that people here legally are being placed into custody.

The operation comes amid broader Trump-era immigration crackdowns, with Massachusetts officials reviewing precedents to counter federal overreach.