ICE arrests surge at Massachusetts courthouses; family detention raises civil rights concerns
Mar 26, 2026·Location: Chelsea, MA

Federal immigration agents made 614 arrests at Massachusetts courthouses in 2025, more than double the 282 arrests in 2024. Civil rights advocates and state lawmakers oppose the practice, proposing legislation to require judicial warrants for courthouse arrests. In September 2025, ICE agents detained Ana Michelle Ramirez Sanan's mother, a lawful permanent resident with valid green card status and over 20 years in the U.S., during a family encounter. Her brother with autism was present during the incident. Local police verified the family's legal status and secured their release. The teenager testified before Congress in March 2026 about the incident, describing agents throwing her mother to the ground and blocking her brother from receiving assistance. Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a Federal Tort Claims Act complaint against ICE on behalf of the family in December 2025.
Timeline
Sources
- CBS News
- Immigration enforcement is up in Massachusetts courthouses. Should it be allowed to continue?
Boston Globe·Mar 26, 2026·archived copy
- Mass. teen testifies against alleged ICE abuse before Congress -- Arrest Video 1
westernmassnews.com·Mar 24, 2026·archived copy
- Witnesses say they begged ICE agents not to detain Minnesota 5-year-old after father's arrest
mprnews.org·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- Massachusetts Teen Testifies Before Congress About Family's Encounter With ICE
patch.com·Mar 25, 2026·archived copy
- Lawyers for Civil Rights
lawyersforcivilrights.org·Mar 24, 2026·archived copy
More incidents in Massachusetts
- Babson College student deported to Honduras despite judge's order, now fights for returnOct 5, 2026 · Boston, MA
- ICE raids chill immigrant businesses and community in New BedfordOct 3, 2026 · New Bedford, MA
- North African man pressured to self-deport amid Uganda deportation threatOct 2, 2026 · Plymouth, MA
- Waltham asylum seeker deported to Uganda despite pending appeal windowSep 30, 2026 · Waltham, MA
- Angolan asylum seeker tackled, tased at neck during New Bedford ICE arrestSep 30, 2026 · New Bedford, MA
- Three Honduran brothers detained by ICE in New Bedford grocery store parking lotSep 28, 2026 · New Bedford, MA