U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced a series of arrests targeting individuals with serious criminal charges in Massachusetts as part of “Operation Patriot 2.0.” The operation, which began on September 6, is focused on apprehending non-citizens accused or convicted of violent crimes.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “On September 6, ICE launched ‘Patriot 2.0’ to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens living in the state of Massachusetts, following the success of Operation Patriot in May. Sanctuary policies like those pushed by Mayor Wu not only attract and harbor criminals but protect them at the peril of law-abiding American citizens. ICE is arresting rapists, child abusers, drug traffickers, and other violent thugs. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, nowhere is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.”
According to ICE officials, those arrested include Victor Gomez-Perez from Guatemala who faces charges including aggravated rape and assault; Kely Yohana Espinosa-Viana from Colombia charged with aggravated assault on a pregnant victim; Brahian Valdez-Placencia from the Dominican Republic facing armed robbery and related offenses; Joshua Gonzalez Baez from the Dominican Republic with pending drug trafficking charges; Samuel Armando Barrera-Hernandez from Guatemala charged with assault on a child; Noe Feliciano Garcia-Majia from Guatemala previously arrested for violent offenses; and Paulo Lima Borges from Cape Verde convicted for drug distribution.
The agency emphasized that these actions are part of ongoing efforts to address public safety concerns associated with sanctuary city policies in places such as Boston.
