Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is under fire after comparing ICE agents to neo-Nazis, igniting a firestorm of criticism from federal officials and raising serious concerns about the safety of immigration enforcement personnel.
At a Glance
- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu compared masked ICE agents to neo-Nazi groups, calling them Trump’s “secret police”
- Operation Patriot in Massachusetts resulted in 1,461 arrests by ICE, including 790 individuals with criminal records
- Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons demanded politicians stop endangering agents with “inflammatory rhetoric”
- U.S. Attorney Leah Foley defended federal agents, calling Wu’s statements “offensive”
- Officials warn such rhetoric increases safety risks for ICE agents and their families
Mayor’s Controversial Comparison Sparks Outrage
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has sparked intense controversy by comparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to neo-Nazis following a massive immigration operation in Massachusetts. Wu specifically referenced the Nationalist Social Club-131, a known neo-Nazi group, when criticizing ICE agents for wearing masks during enforcement actions. The comparison came after Operation Patriot resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,500 illegal immigrants across Massachusetts, including almost 800 individuals with criminal records or pending charges for serious offenses like murder, rape, and assault.
“I don’t know of any police department that routinely wears masks. We know that there are other groups that routinely wear masks. NSC-131 routinely wears masks,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, directly comparing federal law enforcement to extremist groups.
Federal Officials Defend ICE Operations
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley delivered a forceful rebuke of Wu’s characterization, defending the federal agents conducting lawful immigration enforcement. Foley emphasized that ICE operations in Massachusetts are conducted within legal parameters and criticized Wu’s misrepresentations of federal law enforcement. The tension highlights the ongoing conflict between sanctuary city policies in Boston and federal immigration enforcement priorities, particularly as Wu accused agents of property damage and intimidation tactics during operations.
Boston and Massachusetts have long maintained limited cooperation with ICE, making the region a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. The friction between local and federal authorities has intensified under Wu’s administration, with the mayor consistently opposing Trump-era immigration policies. This latest confrontation comes as Wu seeks reelection, facing challenger Josh Kraft among others in the upcoming mayoral race.
ICE Director Issues Stern Warning About Rhetoric
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons issued a stern demand for politicians to cease rhetoric that endangers immigration enforcement personnel. Lyons emphasized that inflammatory language has real-world consequences for ICE agents and their families, who face increasing threats and harassment. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson corroborated these concerns, noting that ICE officers have experienced a rise in assaults due to rhetoric from left-leaning politicians.
The controversy occurs against the backdrop of intensified immigration enforcement nationwide. Operation Patriot specifically targeted individuals with criminal histories, including those charged with serious violent crimes. Despite this focus on public safety, Wu’s characterization of ICE as “secret police” reminiscent of Nazi Germany’s regime has intensified the national debate over immigration enforcement practices and the balance between federal authority and local autonomy in sanctuary jurisdictions.