U.S. officials announce arrests of two Dominican nationals in Massachusetts; Lawyer group calls for investigation after 13-year-old detained

Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two in Massachusetts that they described as the worst of the worst.

Erick Xavier Romero, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted for rape of a child in Boston, Massachusetts was captured in the Bay State.

Patricia Pimental-Cordero, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted of two counts of hit and run and operating under the influence of liquor in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was also captured.

In a related case, Lawyers for Civil Rights is calling for an immediate state investigation after Everett police detained and reportedly transferred a 13-year-old child to ICE custody. LCR is demanding urgent action from the Commonwealth to determine whether local law enforcement violated state law by unlawfully facilitating a federal immigration arrest.

In an open letter sent to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Secretary for Public Safety and Security, LCR urges the Commonwealth take the following steps.

• Investigate the circumstances of the 13-year-old’s detention to determine whether Everett police officers unlawfully extended his custody to facilitate an ICE arrest. The Commonwealth should appoint an independent investigator to examine the precise timeline and sequence of police actions and related events.
• Issue updated guidance and mandatory training for all state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, strictly limiting entanglement with federal immigration enforcement.
• Establish an independent state-level oversight body or task force to monitor compliance with state law and constitutional protections.
• Actively refer law enforcement officers with repeated violations of state law to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission’s Office of Police Accountability and Decertification.
• Provide adequate compensation and support to affected families whose rights have been violated.

“This chilling incident exposes what may be a dangerous breakdown in legal protections for immigrants in our state—and the fact that it involves a child makes it even more alarming,” said Jillian Lenson, Senior Staff Attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights.

“Local and state officials have a responsibility to protect children, not funnel them into federal immigration detention,” said Brooke Simone, Staff Attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights. “This kind of conduct destroys public trust and strikes fear in entire communities. In Massachusetts, it’s not just wrong—it’s unlawful,” added Simone. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the following statement concerning the arrest of the Brazilian teen who they say has ties to the gang 33—a Brazilian criminal ring—in Everett, Massachusetts.

“On October 9, 2025, the Everett Police Department arrested a 13-year-old alien from Brazil on dangerous weapons charges for allegedly possessing a firearm and a 5-7-inch knife.

“According to the police report, the teenager showed a fellow student the handgun and said he was going “shoot and kill” another student. 

“Local officials contacted federal law enforcement and notified them of the arrest. On the same day, ICE Boston officers took the teen into custody. On October 10, 2025, ICE transported the teen to the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester, Virginia. 

“Here are the facts: this individual and suspected gang member posed a public safety threat with an extensive rap sheet, including violent assault with a dangerous weapon, battery, breaking and entering, and destruction of property.  According to the police report, he showed the handgun in his waistband to another student and said was planning on killing a fellow student,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia Mclaughlin.

“The teen is mentioned 11 prior police complaints filed by Everett PD for a laundry list of criminal behavior, including ‘flash mob’ style shoplifting, consuming alcohol underage, breaking and entering, vandalism, theft, fighting and more. 

“On May 14, 2025, the Middlesex County Juvenile Court in Cambridge, arraigned the teen for knowingly receiving stolen property, breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property. While on pre-trial probation in July, he was arraigned for assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.    

“On September 24, 2021, the teen illegally entered the United States near San Luis, Arizona with a family unit. He was released into the U.S. under the Biden Administration.”