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NEW BEDFORD — Schools Superintendent Andrew O’Leary called on federal officials to restore a rescinded memorandum preventing civil immigration enforcement operations at sensitive locations during a demonstration outside City Hall on Saturday.
About 200 people attended the demonstration as a reaction to a March 21 raid on a home on Viall Street where federal agents used a battering ram to enter the home while dressed in military fatigues without showing a warrant, according to the residents.
“On March 21, my sons woke up safe and warm and went to school,” O’Leary said. “Later that day, I learned that some of our students woke up to terror.
“We must demand the restoration of the sensitive locations memorandum,” he said. “Our schools, our hospitals, our students, must remain safe.”
In comments to The Light, O’Leary said activists with the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores and Mujeres Victoriosas alerted New Bedford Public Schools to the raid.
“There’s nothing more important than speaking in the interest of our students,” O’Leary said.
The policy, which harkens back to the administration of then-President George W. Bush, told officers to avoid actions at or near sensitive locations such as courthouses, churches, hospitals, and schools. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman rescinded the policy on Jan. 21, just one day into the current administration.
A federal court placed an injunction on the order earlier this month restricting operations around 1,400 listed places of worship in 36 states.
Three teenagers were present in their Viall Street home at the time of the raid, including two 16-year-old New Bedford High School students. One of the minors and an 18-year-old woman said the agents pointed rifles at them during the 15-minute operation.
The four teenage residents of the home, all Guatemalan, are all going through legal immigration processes and were released after demonstrating legal presence in the country. José Antonio Garcia Garcia, 39, was taken into custody. Another adult resident, Miguel Ordoñez Socop, 35, was detained by agents on his way to work at a fish house shortly before agents went to the home.
Garcia is in immigration detention at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Socop is being held at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, N.H.
Organizers and advocates expressed anger and fear in English and Spanish during Saturday’s two-hour demonstration.
“Under this operation, ICE terrorized an entire community — our community,” said Dulce Cisneros, an organizer with Mujeres Victoriosas. “The Trump administration is targeting New Bedford, and it is up to us to not let them tear our city apart.”
The Light has confirmed the detention of eight New Bedford residents over the course of a weeklong operation targeting Massachusetts in which ICE said it detained 370 “illegal aliens” throughout the Commonwealth, including 205 who “had significant criminal convictions or charges.” It was part of border czar Thomas Homan’s promise to “bring Hell” to Boston.
“This is not about keeping New Bedford safe,” Cisneros said. “This is about power and ethnic cleansing.”
Ire turns toward local government
The demonstrators also called for a more spirited response from city officials, who have remained silent regarding the raids.
“It is a problem that the City Council ignores what happened and is happening to our immigrant communities,” Cisneros said. “This greatly affects our way of life and our freedom.”
Adrian Ventura, executive director of the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, (CCT) called out Mayor Jon Mitchell specifically.
“To point guns at people’s heads, that only happens in Central America or with dictators,” Ventura said in Spanish. “We are supposedly in a democratic country.
“We want the politicians here to say something,” he continued. “Especially the mayor, and he’s off acting like nothing’s happening.”
Due to using outdated contact information, attempts to reach the mayor’s office for comment over the weekend were unsuccessful. A city spokesperson said Monday that neither Mayor Mitchell nor anyone in the mayor’s office received notice of the rally occurring on Saturday.
“I understand the fear, frustration, and disappointment being felt,” said City Council President Shane Burgo in a statement. “The voices of our residents are heard loud and clear, and their call for action is valid. No one in New Bedford should feel abandoned or unheard.”
He continued: “I stand in unwavering support of our immigrant community. New Bedford’s strength lies in its diversity and the contributions of immigrants who have long been part of our city’s fabric. I want to be clear that I stand with our immigrant families and am committed to ensuring they feel safe and valued in our city.
“It is important to recognize that our city government has limited authority over federal immigration enforcement. We do not control ICE operations and often receive no advance notice of these raids.
“Nevertheless, limited authority does not equate to inaction or indifference. We must support vulnerable residents affected by the raids. Together, with local non-profit groups, we are connecting affected residents with legal assistance, emergency resources, and information about their rights. Our community is strongest when we stand together.”
Local officials present at the rally included Ward 4 City Councilor Derek Baptiste and State Rep. Chris Hendricks, a Democrat whose district includes the city’s North End.
“The immigrant experience in New Bedford has always been strong and is alive and well, whether people like it or not,” Hendricks told the crowd. “The reports of ICE operating in our city without warrants is unacceptable. If you want to search us, you need a warrant. Anything short of that is unacceptable.”
A recent New York Times report said that Trump administration officials believed that the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act — which Trump invoked two weeks ago citing threats from the Venezuelan gang Trén de Aragua — enables warrantless entry into homes. Federal courts have since paused the declaration as it is challenged in court.
Demonstrators continued to single out the mayor, at one point chanting “shame on you!” in unison.
Activists at the demonstration, organized by the CCT, Coalition for Social Justice, Community Economic Development Corporation of Southeastern Massachusetts, COSECHA New Bedford, Mujeres Victoriosas, and the New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools, said they would continue to fight against the deportations and raids.
“We are here in the community,” said Alicia Lopez, co-director of Mujeres Victoriosas. “I am here to activate everyone.
“I am calling for union and action.”
Kevin G. Andrade is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Light.
Editor’s note: This story was amended on Thursday, April 3, 2025, to correct reporting that the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment. The Light had an outdated phone number for the city’s public information officer, who never received the request.
Protestors needs to be arrested trying to cover illegal aliens enough troubles from their physical & mental dangers.Keep doing a good job ICE. America don’t need burdens.
It’s the morbidly rich who are the biggest burden to workers and families. The gap between the rich and everyone else is larger in the US than any other democratic nation. Such Inequality is one of the conditions for dictatorship.
The gap between rich and poor is much higher in South Africa and may be higher in China.
You forgot to mention a few key parts about the large gap between rich and poor. Significant differences are the majority of wealthy people work in a business they own. Wealthy people aren’t drug addicts, and their not criminals either.
Look a Bernie Sanders, a self proclaimed Socialist who owns at least 3 homes, and he’s never worked anywhere except public office.
The gap between rich & poor is your problem, what is it you expect to gain in protesting that fact? Do you think a law will be passed that takes 100 Billion dollars from a wealthy person followed by a federal official dividing that money and paying you and your friends $100,000 each to make your life easier? Would that be fair? No, that Billionaire earned his money like everyone else, the only difference is you don’t have a novel idea, you don’t have the funding to begin, and you don’t have the work ethic, or education to realize that dream. America is a great nation with endless opportunities for success, all you have to do is earn it by working hard instead of crying the blues and having your hand out waiting for others to pay your way.
👍👍👍👍👍
Please explain how the arrested people from this article were “burdens” when they literally were working (paying their own way) and paying taxes (and receiving zero public benefits from said taxes).
Por favor, explique cómo las personas arrestadas de este artículo eran “cargas” cuando literalmente estaban trabajando (pagando su propio camino) y pagando impuestos (sin recibir ningún beneficio público de dichos impuestos).
If anyone has a problem with it then they should let all these illegal immigrants stay at their house. They broke federal law and they should be deported back to their country and be banned to ever comeback. Majority of the country already spoke when they voted for PRESIDENT TRUMP. TOM HOMAN IS DOING A GREAT JOB.
You apparently like Fascism.
How do you know what they were receiving or not receiving. If they entered this country illegally they are criminals on that alone.speak with the immigrants who came to America legally. They may not be happy knowing how these people got into the USA.
How do you know where they worked, and whether they paid taxes or not? Even if they were working and their employer withheld federal, state, and social security taxes, they’re still a burden when their children are enrolled in public schools, and most of them get treated at the ER for any illness or injury, who do you think is paying for that?
Illegal immigrants should ALL be deported, and they will now that America has a REAL President.
In the supposed “land of the free”, people peacefully protesting should be arrested? What a wild world we live in today.
YES Totally Agree
So you claim to be an American but don’t have the faintest idea of what freedom of speech means? Calling for the arrest of anyone who disagrees with the illegal actions of ICE is not helpful. Ț thinking about what you said.
How do you know that they illegals? Even if they are, our constitution and laws calls for due process. Warrantless intrusions one’s home with guns pointed at the heads of teenagers should nerver be OK.
No one is above the law, remember you said that about Donald Trump, even illegal aliens are not above the law
I lived on Vial St near the apartment the authorities destroyed, and I realized how drug dealers wait at that point. Why don’t they catch those people? They are criminals, and at the same time, they are burdens to this country. I’ve lived here in New Bedford for more than 20 years, and I’ve never learned that it’s government assistance in exchange for paying my taxes every year, things that not even many natives here comply with. Don’t be driven by your hatred of Latinos, because many of us do follow the rules in this country.
I Believe the Only Ones with Criminal Records! Should Absolutely 💯 Be Deported! A.S.A.P.!! And This Governor of Boston or Our Mayor! In New Bedford, Needs To Harboring Criminals! PERIOD!!
Anyone who enters our country illegally has a crime under their belt so, I agree.
Fine, but with due process.
To Those people that want these criminals to remain here,,,,wait till one ov those people breaks into your house or car,,and you confront them,well now your probably dead !!!!! From Robert Lemay,,, formerly ov NewBerford
What were their crimes?
Far and away more likely to be a citizen .
New Bedford is a high crime area due to illegals and local residents gangs fighting the fact is for someone like me who grew up in scituate mass was always told to stay away now I live and work on the south coast and same thing people tell me new Bedford is a hell hole filled radical democrats and criminal illegals and gangs face the facts and smarten up
According to the New Bedford Police Department, crime is trending down.
New Bedford has one of the lowest crime rates for any city in the State.
The gang leaders are citizens.
You apparently like Fascism.
When you consider the population of Massachusetts is 7,00,000 people, and the population of New Bedford is about 100,000, I’d say very few people were adversely affected by the ICE raids, they are targeted with the purpose of removing ALL illegal immigrants across America, and there’s nothing the Mayor, Governor, or Massachusetts legislation of Democrats can do about it. If you don’t want to be treated like a criminal, then don’t break the law, that includes US Immigration laws.
“Illegal Immigration” isn’t a felony charge nor crime, it is a civil offense and that’s a fact. You cannot be arrested for entering the country illegally, just detained in correctional facilities. But that’s really just a cover up saying for keeping immigrants jailed. Please take into consideration of what you are saying online and turn that desperation of wanting to get rid of “aliens” into something more important like finding a job and paying your rent that’s well over fifteen hundred dollars.
Well said Kelly!
I am so proud of this young lady!
We need more residents willing to do the research and find the true facts! Too many people only listen to radio and television that delivers false information!
Thank you Kelly for being a voice of reason!
Bravo, Kelly Lara!
I agree with you. Although I work at a place in Freetown and there are plenty of illegals there. The problem I see is they get all kinds of funding for these people from other countries. When I was out of work the only help I got was having to wait 16 weeks for unemployment. Pretty good huh and I have lived and worked here my whole life.
Ok….enough of the hateful rhetoric!! We get it. Those who see themselves as the privileged ones want to promote that old adage “not in my back yard!”
However,you are NOT WRONG when you ask that dangerous criminal elements be removed from ANY community!
So herein, is where we begin the debate.Why oh why is it that poor neighborhoods continue to be targeted and isolated as being “problematic “?
You are scaring young children,young families,etc.,etc out of their very wits!! Think you’d like to find yourself in a similar predicament?
In all of this ,consider that we are supposed to be here (on this earth )as compassionate ,caring beings….one with ALL of our brothers and sisters!!!
You can and should promote independent thought ,avoid blind party allegiances and let your better nature prevail.
As a race of human beings, we can and will improve our lot when we begin to recognize the value and worth in ourselves.
Thank you for your time
MAGA
Immigration rules and laws are not fully understood by many. If this administration refuses to abide by those laws, why should any of us be required to abide by any laws? We will become a lawless society.
As a percentage, American citizens are more likely to commit serious crimes than immigrants.
What is the crime rate against persons by illegals?
Citizens?
If we are a to be a country of laws, then law enforcement people must follow the law. Barging into someone’s home without a warrant is against the law. We see this type of police activity in films about Nazi Germany. Do we really want to end up like that?
Confess racist and criminal and he’s trying to do with our Constitution and freedom of right freedom to speech and freedom of press
If a guy tries to get a job on any one of the commercial Fishing boats down at the docks, have fun.. because there are, boat’s with Mexicans, Guatamalins, and other migrants taking jobs from Americans….
Then ask the employer why that is happening. Most Americans don’t want the conditions or pay the migrants accept. If something is illegal here go to the source: THE EMPLOYER.
That’s a big problem when they start taking Americans jobs, apartments , etc , etc . We have enough problems in this country.
when are we going to stop NORMALIZING illegal immigration, which involves virtuall NO IDENTIFICATION OR BACKGROUND CHECK. it is ripe for
harboring criminal activity.
we do not have an infrastucture of HOUSING , schools or hospitals.
thats why only why we cant get citizens apartments or housing because we allow UNDOCUMENTED people to take ver TAX PAYER FUNDED RESOURCE.
it does not have to be just a criminal that we have to harbor, its the entire city resource and housing we have to compete with that our tax dollar paid for. no fair or right
Why is the city allowing these law breakers and ill-informed students to use the steps of city hall?
Democracy and the rule of law is threatened by masked ICE raids lacking judicial warrants. That is the crime. This behavior will trickle up….to citizens, if we don’t say NO now!
The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution states that: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, (reasons) supported by Oath or affirmation, (warrant signed by a judge), and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be siezed. “
I guess we all need to get a copy of the US Constitution. We need to read the first ten amendments in the Bill of Rights and learn what our rights are. Are the people only those of us who do not have tattoos, or do not look different from us, or speak another language? Are these the only people who should be treated like human beings? Maybe those of us who profess to be Christians should reread the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus proclaims who is blessed. I am 85 and hope to live long enough to see the leadership of my country pass to someone who believes in and upholds our Constitutional Rights and who believes in the words that Jesus expressed in the Sermon on the Mount. If I am not around for that long, I hope such a person will lead our country for the sake of my loved ones and yours. In the meantime, we all will need a lot of prayers.
Jane I. Constant
The Constitutional rights don’t apply to people who entered our nation illegally, and illegal aliens violating US Immigration Laws are not a civil offense, it’s a crime, that’s why they’ll all be found, detained, and deported whether you illegal immigrant sympathisers like it or not. You’re obviously not tax payers, it doesn’t cost you anything, but for the middle class tax payers, it matters when that liberal socialist governor Maura Healy wasted $1 Billion tax dollars on people who have no right to be here!!!
This is not rocket science.
Everyone from anywhere who wants to come here LEGALLY and be a lawfully contributing member to our society is welcome.
Anyone here illegally for WHATEVER reason, you should be hunted down WHEREVER you are, caught and returned to where you came from. The when, where and how that is done does not matter at all. You should have considered that it could get ugly beforehand.
The worst go first.
Well said!!!
The people being targeted are mostly not criminals. They are hardworking, tax paying human beings who do not want trouble. They merely want to raise their families in a safe place. What the federal government is doing is inhumane and cruel. Plus our industries are going to suffer without immigrant labor causing a slow down in the economy and higher prices. Be careful what you wish for and consider educating yourself more about why people (maybe even your ancestors) immigrate to this country.
I don’t care how hard the illegal immigrants work, they broke the law when entering America illegally! There’s a process in place for people around the world who want to come to America, the illegal immigrants chose to ignore that process, and violated US Immigration Laws, and now they will be found, detained, and deported just as they should be. This is not cruel, wrong, or inhumane, the federal government is doing their job, the only reason it’s in the spotlight is due to the useless Biden administration that opened the border for 3.5 years. Democrats should also stop blaming Trump, he’s doing exactly what he promised for American tax payers. Why don’t you anti-deportation Democrats educate yourselves and look up the number of illegal immigrants deported by Obama in each of his two terms, I’m sure you’ll be surprised, and hopefully you’ll stop blaming Trump, and instead blame the illegal immigrants who chose to ignore the law and violated the rights of the American tax payers who are forced to find their needs, in fact, since you feel so bad about it, why don’t you support their financial needs including their children in public schools at the American tax payers expense.
Illegal immigration is just that, illegal immigration.
Illegal immigrants voluntarily subverted the legal process of immigration and, having done that, they have subjected themselves to the consequences of all laws with respect to illegal immigration into the USA.
No public monies should be expended, for the benefit of any illegal immigrant, as they willingly subverted the immigration laws of the USA.
Legal immigration is just that, legal immigration.
Those individuals, who utilize the legal processes of immigration, respect and abide by the immigration laws of the USA. It is a very costly and involved process that is the legal and proper way to proceed.
Legal immigrants deserve our respect, as they are abiding by the immigration laws of the USA, and receive little or no advocacy for their efforts.
It’s truly alarming – that is, the MAGA lack of understanding of our Constitution and due process rights is truly alarming. Without legal process, chest-thumping, masked, anonymous ICE agents are no different from Nazi Brownshirts and Gestapo. It’s all good until they come for you or take, even if by mistake, someone from your family.
What part of the legal process are you claiming has been ignored?any of the illegal immigrants have had their due process, they made their claims for asylum and were denied, then they were told they had to leave the country, many didn’t, and now they’re being found and detained, them deported.
What crimes were these targeted people guilty of? Are only people of color the targets? A 14 year-old, has more sense than most of those who post. Instead of deportation, put them on trial, and only deport them if they are guilty. If not, help them become citizens. At the same time, do something about the easy access to guns.
Well said!!!
Isn’t it ignorant that we as Americans are still spewing hyperbolic rhetoric whether or not we agree with our constitutional laws that govern us and our country. I am hoping one day that there might be a vaccine for ignorance.
Those who wish to voice their opinion about this issue can attend the Democracy Rally at the Dartmouth Mall on Saturday, April 5, at 11 AM.