ICE arrests 1,500 illegal aliens in Massachusetts operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday announced that it had arrested nearly 1,500 illegal aliens as part of a large-scale enforcement operation in Massachusetts.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a safer place today thanks to the hard work and determination of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners," ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said in a press release. "Working together, we were able to arrest almost 1,500 illegal aliens throughout the Commonwealth, most of whom had significant criminality in the United States or abroad."

In total, the agency arrested 1,461 individuals, more than half of whom had criminal convictions or charges pending. The effort specifically targeted members of transnational gangs, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, the Trinitarios, and the 18th Street gangs. Of those arrested, 277 were previously ordered removed by a judge, but did not comply.

Dubbed "Operation Patriot", the mass arrests come as the administration looks to ramp up its deportation efforts, with planned funding from the "big beautiful bill" expected to expedite the process.