On Sunday, Mother’s Day, federal immigration agents in Chelsea, Massachusetts, confronted a family leaving church, resulting in a dramatic incident where they broke the window of an SUV and forcibly removed a man. This scenario has sparked outrage due to increased ICE operations in Greater Boston. Prior incidents, like an arrest in New Bedford where agents also broke into a car, have added to the tension.
Witnesses recorded the tense encounter, which involved multiple federal vehicles. After attempting to communicate with the family, and met with refusal to roll down the window, agents resorted to breaking the window to apprehend the man. His family, which included his wife, children, and grandmother, remained inside the vehicle during the arrest. Video captures the man’s plea for understanding, insisting he wasn’t resisting arrest.
Local residents expressed concerns over the legality of the agents’ actions, with one saying, “This is an abuse of rights… They’re violating the law, just like breaking into your house.” The family reportedly remained silent per advice often given to undocumented immigrants. Witness Kennet Santizo described a tense atmosphere, noting an officer pulled a gun quickly during the chaos.
Community leaders, including Chelsea Councilman Roberto Jiménez Rivera, criticized ICE for their operations, declaring them illegal and stating the city has initiated legal actions against such tactics. The week prior, ICE similarly arrested three young men and their father as they left a local police station, reflecting ongoing community fears over aggressive immigration enforcement practices. As of now, inquiries made to ICE regarding this specific incident have gone unanswered.
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