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A year ago, The New Bedford Light looked ahead to life under the incoming Trump administration. For New Bedford — where one in every five residents was born in a different country — the answer seemed clear.
As 2025 progressed, massive changes in federal immigration policy literally hit the city’s streets. The Light responded, from in-depth reports on immigrant aid and detention centers to breaking news of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and citizen protests.
Our top 20 stories for 2025 reveal how you, our readers, reacted. Based on story page views, immigration led the way with 6 in the top 10.
Our most popular feature? It’s not a story, but a report. Can you guess it? Here’s a hint: 🐟. Answer at the bottom.
1: The biggest story of the year detailed the shocking April 14 arrest of a Guatemalan man, picked up after an ICE agent smashed his car window with an axe. The dramatic video of that incident propelled the report across news outlets and social media throughout the country as well as Europe.
The combination made it our most viewed story, with 100,077 views, and Facebook post, at 1,171,725. With 67% of viewers coming from Facebook alone, it was one of the first in the country to demonstrate such ICE tactics and provoked a loud public outcry.
2. The New Bedford Market Basket suspends 47 immigrants after I-9 audit
The major grocery chain suspended dozens of workers from its store on Sawyer Street in July — a direct result of recent ICE operations.
3. Judge orders release of immigrant who was arrested after agents smashed his window
This May 8 report followed up the April arrest of Juan Francisco Méndez, an immigrant with no criminal record in Massachusetts, who then spent four weeks in a detention facility in New Hampshire.
4. Hay-Mac teacher charged with assault and battery on intellectually disabled student
In this April 4 report, the mother of the 11-year-old student said she was “left in the dark” about the alleged assault for nine days.
5. New Bedford man detained by ICE despite longtime legal residency in U.S.
The case rests on a 2012 drug charge that had been resolved, but for legal permanent residents, even dismissed charges can carry significant consequences, this April 13 story points out.
6. 3 immigrants detained in raid at New Bedford car wash
Three Guatemalan car wash workers were arrested on March 11 in New Bedford’s North End after a group of immigration agents stormed the business as shocked customers and coworkers looked on.
7. Jacob Pothier family sues New Bedford Voc-Tech, administrators
The family alleges the district and its administrators failed to protect Jacob, a student, from an “inappropriate sexual relationship” with a school employee, this April 4 report explains.
8. It’s official: South Coast Rail schedule released
Readers eagerly greeted the timetable for the long-awaited commuter rail service between New Bedford and Boston, announced March 4.
9. Turning Point USA kicks off new chapter in New Bedford
Galvanized by the death of founder Charlie Kirk, the conservative youth organization looked to reach students from the outside in, reports this Oct. 9 story.
10. Two Guatemalans detained in early morning ICE raid in New Bedford
Family members said authorities — identifying themselves as Immigration and wearing military fatigues — used a battering ram to break down the door to their home on Viall Street just before 7 a.m. on March 21.
11. Our offshore wind tracker: What’s new with wind projects off Massachusetts and beyond?
With New Bedford a launching point — and job center — for offshore wind projects, their future under detractor Trump is critical. Created by The Light’s beat reporter Anastasia Lennon, this unique tracker keeps up with rapid shifts created by court suits, rule changes and the economy.
12. Can fishermen fish inside offshore wind farms?
This Jan. 6 reply to an Ask The Light question says fishermen will be allowed to fish amid U.S. wind turbines. That doesn’t mean they will.
13. South Coast Rail’s schedule will be more ambitious than originally planned
MBTA officials in February told residents that the South Coast Rail is going above and beyond its original goals, for its March 24 opening.
14. City nursing home cited for failing to stop physical and sexual abuse
Brandon Woods of New Bedford received more health citations than any other nursing home in Massachusetts last year, reveals this Sept. 24 investigative report.
15. ‘Worst of the worst’: Fall River nursing home repeatedly cited
Fall River Healthcare has been cited for mistreating residents. Its parent company has been accused of deliberate understaffing. This Nov. 24 investigative report brings details to light.
16. ICE detains New Bedford landlord in city’s South End
Jose Bonilla, 58, of Everett, was stopped Sept. 4 while checking on a property he owns. His lawyer confirmed he had an open petition for a visa through his wife, a green card holder.
17. Major drug trafficking case tossed due to New Bedford police detective’s misconduct with informant
The case was dismissed April 11 after state prosecutors determined the investigation was tainted by a sexual relationship between retired city police officer Jared Lucas and a woman he used as an informant.
18. New Bedford firefighter with arrest history retires before termination hearing
By retiring hours before a scheduled termination hearing, Manuel Mota Jr. protected his right to annual pension payments of tens of thousands of dollars a year, explains this June 5 report.
19. 200 protest ICE raids in New Bedford
About 200 people attended the March 29 demonstration as a reaction to a March 21 raid on a home on Viall Street where federal agents, dressed in military fatigues, used a battering ram to enter the home without showing a warrant.
20. Judge overturns $127,000 jury verdict against city on police retaliation claim
In a rare move, a judge on July 7 overturned a jury’s ruling that a male police officer in New Bedford retaliated against a former female officer who had complained about alleged gender discrimination.
🐟 Top feature: Our most viewed page (with the exception of our home page) is — The Daily Catch! What else could it be in New Bedford, home to the country’s top fishing port? The update on fish and shellfish auction prices has reeled in more than 112,000 page views and about 23,000 visitors this year.