Democratic Governor Shifts Position, Endorses ICE Arresting ‘Criminal’ Undocumented Immigrants

The governor of Massachusetts has made headlines by voicing her support for the arrest of criminal undocumented immigrants, stressing the need for “the apprehension of criminals in our communities.”
Gov. Maura Healey addressed reporters on Thursday, stating that she stands by the arrest of criminals, regardless of their immigration status, as reported by WCVB, a local news outlet.
Recent ICE operations in Boston led to eight arrests, according to Fox News. Those detained included MS-13 gang members, individuals flagged with Interpol Red Notices, and suspects wanted for murder and rape. Among those apprehended was a Haitian gang member with 18 prior convictions, who reportedly shouted during his arrest, “I ain’t going back to Haiti!” and “F— Trump, Biden forever!”
These arrests coincide with federal efforts to launch mass deportation operations under the Trump administration. Officials noted that these efforts primarily—but not exclusively—focus on individuals posing threats to public safety.
Commenting on the recent ICE actions, Healey stated she “wouldn’t describe them as raids.” Instead, she noted, “what it seems to be, and what we expected and what I support, which is the apprehension of criminals in our communities.”
She further explained, “Whether you’re documented or undocumented, you commit crimes, you’re subject to investigation and prosecution and accountability, and it looks like that is what happened,” according to Boston 25.
Healey’s comments represent a notable shift from her previous stances. Before Trump’s inauguration, Healey had pledged to resist his deportation agenda. While Massachusetts is not officially a sanctuary state, a 2017 state Supreme Judicial Court ruling has limited law enforcement cooperation with ICE.
In November, Healey stated that state police would “absolutely not” participate in Trump’s deportation initiatives. She vowed to use “every tool in the toolbox” to “protect” residents, emphasizing her opposition to targeting large groups of undocumented individuals who have not committed crimes.
However, her stance on immigration enforcement appears to have evolved. Following reports of an undocumented migrant exploiting the state’s shelter system for illegal activities, Healey expressed her “outrage” and ordered a review of the system. She also urged lawmakers to amend the state’s “right to shelter” law to exclude undocumented immigrants.
At the time, Healey remarked that Trump had the chance to reform a “broken” immigration system, adding, “I hope he does.”
Critics of Democratic immigration policies argue that the system is not “broken” but suffers from a lack of enforcement by blue-state leaders who refuse to cooperate with federal authorities.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell remains vocal in her criticism of Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. On social media, Campbell reiterated that “State & local law enforcement cannot be commandeered for federal immigration enforcement.” In one post, she stated, “Despite what President Trump may think, he doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally rewrite our Constitution.”
Campbell warned that “State AGs won’t hesitate to respond if his threats become illegal actions.”
Separately, Republican state Reps. Michael Soter and Kenneth Sweezey proposed legislation on Friday aimed at enhancing local and state cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“The immigration issue in Massachusetts has gotten completely out of control,” Sweezey said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This piece of legislation is a very simple, common-sense first step in rectifying part of the issue.”