‘Rally for a dream' calls for immigration protection amid ICE operations in Boston
The organization rallied outside City Hall on Monday and says immigrant communities are being targeted.
The group says the American dream many make their way to the United States for is being threatened by fear.
'It's being done extra judicially, warrants are not being issued for these individuals and so they are being deported without due process, which means it's possible that anybody could be deported and we wouldn't know,' said Bryan Winter, a veteran's representative.
Department of Homeland Security officials have emphasized that they are prioritizing the removal of dangerous criminals.
In a statement last week, Homeland Security said ICE detained and removed a number of people here in Massachusetts who have criminal records.
'Despite sanctuary politicians and activists trying to disrupt ICE operations, our brave law enforcement removed gang members, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals from Massachusetts' streets,' said Assistant Secretary Tricia Mclaughlin.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
The White House buys Ford Mustangs to recruit new ICE agents
The White House is spending over $120,000 to buy two Ford Mustang GT muscle cars in what it says is part of a "compelling" and "urgent" need to use the cars to entice people to join the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, also known as ICE. The vehicles were part of 'an immediate request by the White House, on Thursday, August 7, 2025,' according to the federal justification-and-approval documents, which also explain why the contract was awarded to a Washington, D.C.-area Ford dealership without using the typical competitive bidding process. "The agency's need for the services is so urgent and compelling that providing full and open competition would result in unacceptable delays and seriously hinder the Government's recruiting initiative," the documents read. It listed the price for the pair of vehicles at $121,450. Ford Motor Co. declined to comment on the federal government's purchase of the cars. The owner of the dealership the government purchased the cars from, Banister Ford of Marlow Heights, confirmed the sale of the two 2025 Mustang GTs to the federal government. The cars were delivered to the government a couple of weeks ago, just days after the request was made, Dan Banister, owner of Banister Automotive — which owns the Ford store in Suitland, Maryland — told the Detroit Free Press. "I didn't know it was the White House. Donald Trump didn't call me," Banister said of the goverment's purchase of the cars. "The way they found us was, we had to register with the federal government to be a provider of vehicles. We offer government discounts. Many times, it's a bidding process, but it looks like they were in a pinch and needed cars right away." Banister's store had what ICE was looking for in those vehicles already in its inventory. 'Eye-catching design' will attract recruits As part of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" last month, Congress approved $30 billion for an ICE hiring spree to add some 14,000 immigration officers. According to the federal procurement documents, the agency intends to do the recruiting over the next two fiscal years. But low morale has plagued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel due to the high expectations, shifting priorities and job insecurity, according to published reporters. In a July 10 report in The Atlantic, it said, "Officers and agents have spent much of the past five months clocking weekends and waking up at 4 a.m. for predawn raids. Their top leaders have been ousted or demoted, and their supervisors — themselves under threat of being fired — are pressuring them to make more and more arrests to meet quotas set by the Trump adviser Stephen Miller." ICE, which initially prioritized catching criminals, has shifted its attention to civil immigration arrests under President Donald Trump. That has meant nabbing asylum seekers at court hearings or chasing day laborers through Home Depot parking lots "as angry onlookers attempt to shame ICE officers with obscenities, and activists try to dox them, officers are retreating further behind masks and tactical gear," The Atlantic reported. The government believes using Mustang GTs at recruitment events will bolster the job's appeal. 'The Ford Mustang GT enhances recruitment efforts in support of the USC Title 8 mission and HR 1 OBBBA recruiting, by serving as a bold, high-performance symbol of innovation, strength and modern federal service,' according to the federal procurement documents. 'Its eye-catching design increases public engagement at outreach events and helps attract top talent by conveying a culture of excellence and forward momentum.' This purchase comes after ICE spent more than $700,000 to customize a group of SUVs and pickup trucks to be used for recruitment, according to published reports last week. That included a Ford Raptor and a GMC Yukon that were "tricked out to mimic the look of Donald Trump's private Boeing 757," The Independent reported. It means they're painted navy blue, with red-and-white racing stripes and a gold ICE logo — the same color scheme of Trump's aircraft. The words 'President Donald J. Trump' are printed in gold on the rear window along with 'Defend the homeland' on the side. The trucks cost more than $500,000, with another $227,000 spent on custom automotive wraps, The Independent reported, citing federal procurement records. Needed immediately According to The Independent — which was first to report this story — one of the Mustangs has already been seen around D.C. on Monday evening, "with a gold ICE logo and the words 'Defend the homeland' on the side." In the government documents it said the cars will be used to transport staff and materials for recruitment events, career fairs and recruitment initiatives at various locations. 'Without timely access to these resources, our ability to attract and onboard qualified candidates will be severely hindered, ultimately impacting the agency's ability to fulfill its mission,' the document said of needing to buy the Mustangs without a bidding process. The government documents said Banister Ford of Marlow Heights was in a position to fulfill this requirement quickly because it had immediate availability of vehicles that 'fully meet ICE's specifications." It added that 'failure to approve this (Justification and Approval) request will result in significant disruption to ICE's recruitment efforts." How Banister got the sale Banister, who said his store is about a 25-minute drive southeast of the White House, had no idea his customer was ICE. 'We sell to a wide range of customers including individuals, businesses and government agencies. We don't take any political position on who purchases a vehicle," Banister, who owns four other dealerships that sell other brands in the Virginia area, told the Detroit Free Press. "We just want to provide a quality vehicle with professional service." Banister said the Mustangs are powerful cars that are fun to drive but "I don't know that would make people want to join ICE or not? I guess if I'm going out there trying to hire people to work and I bring a nice sporty car out there, that would get people to come talk to me.' More: Ford reveals a new race car inspired trim for its $325,000 Mustang More: Ford Bronco fan, 60, keeps customizing her 'Fiona' Banister said it was likely just luck that his dealership got this sale, but he said he is honored. "It just happened they saw our name in there and contacted us and I thought it was an honor," Banister said. "I love being in a position where we can help and the Mustang is a great vehicle.' Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@ Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: White House buys Ford Mustangs to recruit new ICE agents Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
Tatiana Martinez was livestreaming in her car when she was suddenly surrounded and forcibly removed by federal agents.
A Colombian woman whose videos documenting ICE operations in California have garnered millions of views on TikTok was violently detained by the agency in a clip posted online. Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, who posts under the TikTok handle @tatianamartinez_02, was livestreaming from her Tesla on Friday when masked ICE agents approached the vehicle, NBC News reported. In a clip taken by a bystander and posted to social media, the agents can be seen yanking Mafla-Martinez out of her car as she screams and resists.
The Hill
2 minutes ago
- The Hill
Democrats press DHS for ‘Alligator Alcatraz' information
Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more information about how the Trump administration teamed up with the state of Florida to create a controversial detention facility for migrants in the middle of the Everglades. 'Brushing aside concerns from human rights watchdogs, environmentalist groups, and Tribal nations, [DHS] has greenlit the construction of this expansive detention facility that may violate detained individuals' human rights, jeopardize public and environmental health and violate federal law,' House and Senate Democrats wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem dated Wednesday. The detention facility, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' opened in early July to house arrested migrants awaiting deportation. It was created through a state and federal partnership, with Florida officials leading oversight and construction, with DHS footing the bill. President Trump toured the facility when it opened, along with Noem. A federal judge last week temporarily halted expansion of the site after tribal and environmental groups filed a lawsuit over potential damage to wetlands. Located just south of Miami, Alligator Alcatraz quickly raised alarms about conditions for detainees in the hot, humid climate. Some whistleblowers have described worm-infested food, plumbing problems and other issues since its opening. 'The Everglades site was selected precisely because of its remote location and harsh surroundings, which Florida officials reportedly view as 'an ideal location to house and transport migrants,'' the Democrats wrote in their letter Wednesday. 'We ask that DHS promptly provide critical information for the American public to better understand this detention plan.' The letter was signed by more than five dozen members of Congress, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). It requested that DHS respond to several questions by September 3.
