Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, has declared that the city will not cooperate with mass deportation operations planned by the incoming Trump administration, aligning Boston with other “sanctuary” cities committed to protecting undocumented immigrants.
The policy of sanctuary cities, including Boston, is to not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining or transferring undocumented individuals, even those with criminal charges or convictions.
In a Sunday interview with WCVB, Wu addressed concerns over the Trump administration’s pledge to begin a large-scale deportation effort upon taking office in January.
When asked about Boston’s stance, she firmly stated, “Elections have consequences, and the federal government has responsibilities. But what we can do is protect our residents, ensuring that our city does not cooperate with efforts that spread fear and disrupt the economy.”
Wu emphasized the importance of maintaining trust within the community, particularly for those who rely on city services like education and emergency assistance. “The last thing we want is for members of our economy, schools, and communities to retreat into the shadows because of fear,” Wu said. “We will continue to ensure that immigration enforcement does not intersect with critical city services.”
Trump has made immigration enforcement a key focus of his return to the White House, with plans to expand detention centers and engage private prison companies to accommodate a potential surge in deportations.
He has also stated that he is open to declaring a national emergency to expedite these actions, using military resources if necessary.
Resistance to these measures is already growing among blue states and sanctuary cities. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has vowed to use “every tool in the toolbox” to protect the state’s residents, pledging that state police will not assist federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Despite these commitments, Massachusetts has faced criticism for its sanctuary policies. ICE recently announced the apprehension of a Colombian immigrant in Boston who had been charged with child exploitation crimes.
The agency stated that its detainer request for the individual was ignored, allowing the person to be released before ICE intervened. Earlier this year, ICE also arrested individuals in Boston with alleged ties to MS-13 and other serious offenses, claiming their detainer requests were similarly disregarded.
Trump’s appointed border czar, Tom Homan, has made it clear that resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions will not deter the administration. “If you don’t want to work with us, then get the hell out of the way,” Homan said. “We’ll double the agents in cities like Boston to get the job done.”
With these conflicting stances, tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities like Boston are expected to intensify as Trump’s policies take shape.
