Continuing aggressive enforcement under President Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two previously deported men with serious criminal convictions in Greater Boston. Acting Director Todd Lyons led the operation, emphasizing prioritization of the 'worst of the worst' amid high morale and record arrests in the administration's early days.
The Friday operation in Greater Boston aligned with Trump's immigration priorities, building on recent nationwide efforts. Lyons, recently elevated from Boston Field Office Director, reported ICE surpassing the prior administration's full-year arrests within the first 100 days.
Border Czar Tom Homan had vowed intense focus on Boston, targeting child sex offenders and others. Agents apprehended:
- 55-year-old Miguel Angel Chavez (El Salvador), convicted of two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; deported in 2013, illegally re-entered.
- 69-year-old Jose Lazaro Ayala (El Salvador), convicted of leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death; entered undetected, awaits removal.
Three other targets evaded capture, possibly due to weather impacting outdoor work.
Lyons warned, 'These aren’t the people you want in your neighborhood,' crediting support from Secretary Noem, Trump, and federal partners like FBI and DEA. Massachusetts sanctuary policies hinder cooperation, forcing extended surveillance (40-80 hours per target) without local data, leading to workplace or neighborhood arrests.
'ICE is helping the president establish his goals... to get the worst of the worst outside of our communities,' Lyons said, calling the first 100 days a 'great success.' Generous state services attract migrants, complicating enforcement.
