A large-scale, weeks-long federal immigration enforcement operation, dubbed “Operation Patriot 2.0,” resulted in the apprehension of 1,406 illegal alien offenders across Massachusetts between September 4 and September 30.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), working with numerous federal partners, focused the surge on individuals involved in transnational organized crime, gangs, and other egregious criminal activity.
ICE reported that more than 600 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, or were known foreign fugitives. The individuals apprehended include alleged murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, child sex predators, and members of violent transnational criminal gangs such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street.
Furthermore, three of those arrested were identified as known or suspected terrorists, and 277 had previously been ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge but remained in the country illegally.
Spotlight on Criminality
Federal officials detailed the criminal histories of several high-profile individuals arrested, including:
- Souvanheuang Phachansiri (65, Laos), with a conviction for second-degree murder and kidnapping.
- Mario Augusto Lopes-Barros (42, Cape Verde), convicted of voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon.
- Anderson Stephen Hernandez-Vasquez (24, Guatemala), convicted of rape of a child.
- Mauricio Eguizabal-Ovalle (47, El Salvador), facing seven counts of indecent assault and battery, statutory rape, and aggravated rape of a child with a five-year age gap.
- Manuel Antonio Rivera-Eraso (35, Honduras), facing pending charges for possession of child pornography and four counts of rape of a child.
Several foreign fugitives with warrants from their home countries, including for homicide in the Dominican Republic and Brazil, were also taken into custody.
Federal Officials Criticize Sanctuary Policies
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons was highly critical of local jurisdictions that maintain so-called “sanctuary policies,” arguing they undermine public safety. Lyons stated, “Patriot 2.0 exposed the grave consequences of sanctuary policies and the urgent need for local leaders to prioritize their constituents’ safety over politics.” He asserted that many apprehensions had to be made as at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities because local law enforcement refused to honor federal immigration detainer requests and instead chose to release the offenders from custody.
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ICE ERO Boston Acting Field Office Director David Wesling praised the cooperative effort, which included partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Diplomatic Security Service. He said the commonwealth is “a significantly safer place to live and work” due to the removal of criminal offenders who have “victimized innocent people and traumatized entire communities.”
The FBI’s Boston division Special Agent in Charge, Ted E. Docks, underscored the operation’s message: “If you are in this country illegally, hiding out and committing crimes, the FBI and our partners will find you, we will arrest you, and we will remove you from our communities.”
All individuals detained during the operation are being held in ICE custody pending the outcome of their removal proceedings or deportation from the United States.
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