Local
ICE says many of 82 people arrested in South Coast operation had criminal records
ICE says many of the 82 people arrested during a September operation in New Bedford and Fall River had criminal histories, including convictions for serious offenses. The agency’s account contrasts with criticism from Massachusetts officials, who said people without criminal records were swept up and raised concerns about the operation’s impact on families and local safety.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says many of the 82 people arrested during a targeted operation in New Bedford and Fall River had criminal histories, disputing claims from Massachusetts officials that people with no criminal records were among those detained.
The operation began in New Bedford on Sept. 21 and continued across the South Coast for three days, according to ICE. The agency said some of those arrested had records involving offenses such as assault with a dangerous weapon, child abuse, driving under the influence and larceny. ICE did not provide details in the information described about the criminal histories of all 82 people.
The agency highlighted seven people it said were arrested in the operation. Its account distinguished between convictions and prior arrests: for example, ICE said Robson Martins Da Silva had been convicted of two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, while also listing other charges for which he had been arrested. ICE said other people in the group had convictions for offenses including assault with a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon and driving under the influence. Arrests alone do not establish guilt.
Acting ICE Boston Field Office Director Joseph Sher said the agency would continue operations to detain people it considers dangerous. ICE also said some people arrested during the operation had previously been released from local jails that did not honor federal immigration detainers.
Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell condemned the operation as it unfolded. Healey said she met with children whose fathers had been detained. Mitchell said at least eight people arrested in New Bedford had no criminal records beyond minor motor vehicle violations, and criticized ICE for not informing the city or its police department beforehand. Markey called for abolishing ICE, saying the operation had caused fear in local communities.
The statements describe competing accounts of who was arrested and the operation’s effects. ICE’s information cited criminal histories for many of those detained, while local officials focused on the people they said had no criminal records and on families left without information about detained relatives. The details provided by ICE do not establish whether its cited records correspond to the eight people Mitchell identified.