A Massachusetts activist confronts ICE agents during operations in Plymouth, highlighting growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies across the state.
At a Glance
- Local resident Lori Fitzpatrick filmed and physically interfered with ICE officers during an enforcement operation in Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Plymouth officials criticized ICE for conducting operations without notifying local authorities, citing public safety concerns
- The Trump administration has placed Massachusetts on a new list of sanctuary jurisdictions, escalating pressure on the state
- ICE officials claim sanctuary policies force them to conduct riskier street operations rather than safer jail transfers
- Massachusetts Governor Healey denies the state is a sanctuary jurisdiction while requesting more information about federal operations
Local Confrontation Highlights Immigration Enforcement Tensions
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Plymouth, Massachusetts recently sparked controversy when local resident Lori Fitzpatrick confronted federal agents during a targeted enforcement action. Fitzpatrick filmed the encounter, questioned the officers’ presence, and attempted to obstruct their vehicle. The incident has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in Massachusetts communities that limit cooperation with federal authorities.
“I live in this community, this is very concerning to me,” said Lori Fitzpatrick during her confrontation with ICE agents in Plymouth.
According to reports, ICE officers were in uniform and displayed badges during the operation. Plymouth officials expressed frustration not with the enforcement itself, but with the lack of communication from federal authorities. Town Manager Derek Brindisi voiced concerns about the absence of prior notification, while Select Board member Kevin Canty warned that unannounced operations could create dangerous confusion between different law enforcement agencies operating in the same area.
Trump Administration Escalates Pressure on Sanctuary Jurisdictions
The Plymouth incident comes as the Department of Homeland Security has published a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, including all of Massachusetts and specific cities like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. The move marks an escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure localities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. ICE has reportedly increased operations across Massachusetts, with recent arrests on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Massachusetts officials have pushed back against the federal characterization. Governor Maura Healey has denied that Massachusetts is a sanctuary state while calling for comprehensive immigration reform. She has requested more information from federal authorities regarding ICE activities within state borders. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has defended the city’s Trust Act, which limits police cooperation with ICE to significant public safety issues, arguing it enhances community safety by building trust between residents and law enforcement.
JUST IN: Officials in sanctuary city of Plymouth, Massachusetts now complaining about ICE agents storming their region.
No amount of complaining will stop the deportations. pic.twitter.com/yzDMsxdYga
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 31, 2025
ICE Claims Sanctuary Policies Create Greater Risks
Federal immigration officials maintain that sanctuary policies create more dangerous conditions for both officers and communities. When local jails refuse to cooperate with ICE detainers, the agency argues it must resort to community arrests rather than safer custody transfers. During recent Massachusetts operations, ICE reportedly arrested several individuals with serious criminal histories, including a previously deported child rapist.
“It would just be better if these federal agents opened the lines of communication,” said Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi, highlighting the disconnect between local and federal authorities.
A 2017 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling prohibits local law enforcement from arresting individuals solely for deportation purposes, creating legal constraints on cooperation. While sanctuary policies limit certain forms of collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, they do not prevent deportation or prosecution for crimes. The ongoing tension between federal enforcement priorities and local sanctuary policies appears likely to continue as both sides assert their positions on community safety and immigration enforcement.
