ICE Reports 413% Spike in Assaults Amid Massachusetts Operation Patriot, Political Backlash Over 'Secret Police' Claims

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nearly 1,500 individuals in Massachusetts during May as part of Operation Patriot, with more than half reportedly convicted of or charged with serious crimes including murder, rape, child rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons demanded that politicians 'stop putting my people in danger,' criticizing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for rhetoric he claims endangers ICE agents. Lyons and federal officials attribute a 413% increase in assaults on ICE personnel over the past year to inflammatory comments and efforts to dox agents, including Jeffries' statement that ICE agents would be identified 'no matter what it takes.'

Mayor Wu compared ICE agents to 'secret police' and referenced the neo-Nazi group NSC-131 in discussing ICE officers' use of masks, which federal officials say are worn due to threats and doxxing. Wu stated people are being 'snatched off the street by secret police,' a claim rejected by the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, who called such remarks 'false narratives' and said they put agents at risk.

The recent ICE operation included the arrest of an 18-year-old Milford student and sparked protests, notably in Worcester, where a confrontation led to arrests of protesters. Federal officials maintain that most individuals detained were serious offenders, citing specific cases involving murder and sexual assault.

Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act, which would criminalize the release of law enforcement officers' identities with intent to obstruct investigations or enforcement. The debate over ICE operations and local cooperation continues amid ongoing criticism and legislative responses.