On Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a significant operation on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, resulting in the detention and removal of at least 12 individuals. This move is part of a larger national effort by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce immigration laws more aggressively across all states and communities.
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), DHS emphasized its commitment to removing undocumented immigrants nationwide, urging those present unlawfully in the United States to use the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app to self-deport voluntarily. The post warned that individuals who do not comply will face arrest and removal without the opportunity to return.
Visual footage from the operation depicted several detainees wearing life vests aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, accompanied by enforcement officers in tactical gear. Reports also indicate that similar arrest actions were carried out on Martha's Vineyard, another Massachusetts island known for its seasonal influx of workers and tourists.
The operation has drawn sharp criticism from Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr, who represents Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and parts of Cape Cod. Senator Cyr condemned the ICE raids, describing them as a politically motivated campaign that targets immigrants who are integral to the local community, especially during the peak summer season. He highlighted the harsh impact on families and livelihoods, calling the actions “sad and shameful.”
This incident echoes previous politically charged immigration maneuvers, such as the 2022 initiative by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that involved transporting migrants to Martha's Vineyard without prior notice, fueling ongoing national debates over immigration policy and enforcement tactics.
