An ICE surge into Massachusetts could be a dangerous gambit for President Donald Trump, who would face unanimous resistance from political leaders and push again from voters within the bluest of blue states.
Trump is already coping with a disaster in Minnesota and might in poor health afford one other probably violent confrontation within the Bay State, the place leaders like Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have vowed to struggle in opposition to any mass ICE intervention.
Is the timing proper for an additional main ICE operation in feisty liberal Massachusetts, which is on the brink of rejoice the 250th anniversary of the nation?
Regardless of that, experiences proceed to flow into that immigration enforcement is getting ready for an aggressive crackdown in Massachusetts, the place a cargo of shiny new unmarked SUVs on the ICE facility in Burlington has anxious native pro-immigrant activists.
Immigration czar Tom Homan and performing ICE Director Todd Lyons have additionally made threats to come back to Massachusetts in an operation in opposition to the state’s giant unlawful immigrant neighborhood and Democratic leaders like Wu and Gov. Maura Healey.
Wu has mentioned the town and native police are already planning in case Trump makes Massachusetts the following immigration goal. She is working to make sure that native legislation enforcement doesn’t cooperate with ICE’s operation.
“Sadly now, on high of the common rhythm of what we’ve to debate, we now have to consider planning for the unthinkable eventualities the federal authorities may convey,” Wu instructed WBUR’s Tiziana Dearing.
Different political leaders have vowed to withstand ICE as effectively. Within the wake of the lethal Minneapolis capturing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is pushing for ICE to be abolished.
These sorts of feedback have caught the eye of the Trump administration however is the president actually prepared to threat extra of his political capital in a confrontation with Democrat-dominated Massachusetts?
Trump is already dealing with a midterm election that ticks ever nearer and will erode his energy if Democrats take the Home or Senate or each.
He is aware of there could be one other main outcry if he makes an attempt to maneuver on the Bay State and even threaten to arrest folks like Wu if she is main the resistance.
The final large-scale ICE involvement in Massachusetts got here in March 2025, leading to lots of of arrests of prison unlawful immigrants.
Homan has promised to convey “hell” to Boston, a line that Wu used to spotlight the town’s preventing spirit in opposition to ICE.
Wu has challenged Homan to come back to Boston and promised to query him below oath.
“It is a stunning, various, unbelievable metropolis,” Wu mentioned final August, the final time ICE threatened to conduct an operation in Boston. “This administration must cease attacking cities to cover its personal failures…We all know care for our neighbors right here in Boston with out the interference, coercion, intimidation or bullying from the federal authorities.”
