ICE storms nation's wealthiest island retreat to arrest dozens of illegal migrants…but governor is appalled
ICE agents stormed the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard and arrested 40 illegal immigrants - but a blue state governor slammed the effort as 'disturbing.'
Immigration agents successfully apprehended at least one MS-13 gang member and one child sex offender during the bust, according Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde.
'ICE and our federal partners made a strong stand for prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our New England neighborhoods,' she said.
'Operations like this highlight the strong alliances that ICE shares with our fellow law enforcement partners.'
Even White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted 'Bye bye!' on X along with a waving hand emoji as a response to an image of migrants being shackled and transported via boat.
But Massachusetts ' Democratic Governor Maura Healey demanded 'answers' and 'clarification' from ICE about the covert operation.
Healey told the Boston Herald it was 'very disturbing, needless to say, to wake up to news about that activity on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.'
Healey questioned whether ICE officials genuinely targeted criminals like they said, noting: 'It's one thing to go after and target those who have committed crimes, who are here unlawfully.
'It's concerning when we see people, moms and dads, being ripped away from families. Neighbors, coworkers taken away, literally it looks like, on the way to job sites in Nantucket and on the Vineyard.'
'Local police chiefs have zero information about what's happening in their communities. We at the state level have zero information about what's happening in communities.
'And that needs to change. We need to get answers. We need to get clarification from ICE.'
Healey's comments sparked immediate and furious backlash from Trump administration DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
She told Fox News that local authorities were notified about the operation.
'Before the Governor criticizes our brave law enforcement, she should get her facts straight—apparently, she is the one with "zero information,"' McLaughlin said.
'What we find "disturbing" and "concerning" is politicians like Massachusetts Gov. Healey fighting to protect criminal illegal aliens.
'Our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the Biden administration's open border policies.'
Trump returned to the White House after campaigning with a pledge to conduct the largest mass deportation scheme in American history.
The affluent and tight-knit pro-Democrat area of Martha's Vineyard was inundated with 50 migrants in 2022 after Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planeloads of immigrants to the island.
In response, authorities activated the National Guard in response, declaring the situation a 'humanitarian crisis.'
Then in April 2024, it emerged that some of those migrants who cooperated with the sheriff were able to apply for U-nonimmigrant status and three of them have since received 'bona fide determinations.'
That meant that the trio of Venezuelan migrants were given permission to work legally in the country and be protected from deportation.
The U-nonimmigrant status, known as U-visa, is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Migrants granted a U-visa are eligible to work in the United States, then can apply for a Green Card after having a U-visa for three years.
There is a 10,000 limit on the number of U-visas issued each year and there are thousands of applicants on a waiting list.
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