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 sick afford one other probably violent confrontation within the Bay State, the place leaders like Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have vowed to combat in opposition to any mass ICE intervention.
Is the timing proper for one more main ICE operation in feisty liberal Massachusetts, which is on the point of have a good time the 250th anniversary of the nation?
Regardless of that, studies 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 nervous native pro-immigrant activists.
Immigration czar Tom Homan and appearing ICE Director Todd Lyons have additionally made threats to return 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 stated the town and native police are already planning in case Trump makes Massachusetts the subsequent immigration goal. She is working to make sure that native legislation enforcement doesn’t cooperate with ICE’s operation.
“Sadly now, on prime of the common rhythm of what we have now to debate, we now have to consider planning for the unthinkable situations the federal authorities would possibly deliver,” Wu instructed WBUR’s Tiziana Dearing.
Different political leaders have vowed to withstand ICE as nicely. Within the wake of the lethal Minneapolis taking pictures, 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 keen to threat extra of his political capital in a confrontation with Democrat-dominated Massachusetts?
Trump is already going through 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 tons of of arrests of prison unlawful immigrants.
Homan has promised to deliver “hell” to Boston, a line that Wu used to spotlight the town’s combating spirit in opposition to ICE.
Wu has challenged Homan to return to Boston and promised to query him underneath oath.
“It is a lovely, numerous, unbelievable metropolis,” Wu stated 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 easy methods to care for our neighbors right here in Boston with out the interference, coercion, intimidation or bullying from the federal authorities.”
