As National Doughnut Day is celebrated across the country, Massachusetts finds itself in the midst of a new controversy over the use of masks by federal immigration agents.
This debate is reminiscent of the infamous mask wars during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now it is focused on the actions of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents amidst recent immigration enforcement sweeps.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, the leading federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, defended the decision by immigration agents to wear masks during these operations, a stance that has met with criticism from various local officials, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Foley stated, “They are now wearing masks because of the lies that are being spewed by people suggesting that they are secret police or neo-Nazis.”
The backdrop of this debate can be traced back to changes implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which in many areas allowed law enforcement officers to mask their faces due to medical exemptions from standard regulations requiring visibility.
According to NPR, ICE policies now permit individual operation commanders to decide whether their agents will wear masks.
During a recent event held at the WBUR Festival, Mayor Wu condemned the masked agents, comparing them to “secret police,” and highlighted the actions of local extremist groups known for similar practices.
She pointed out that members of the white supremacist group NSC-131 usually conceal their identities and criticized ICE’s approach to immigration enforcement.
When pressed by WBUR’s Tiziana Dearing on why ICE agents should be allowed to wear masks while local police do not, Foley echoed sentiments shared by recent pro-Palestinian protestors, emphasizing that numerous agents have faced doxxing, death threats, and other personal risks.
Foley expressed hope that if undercover police officers faced similarly dangerous situations, Mayor Wu would allow them discretion regarding mask usage during high-risk arrests to protect their safety.
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons also took a stand on the matter, asserting the necessity of masks due to threats made against the families of officers.
In response, Mayor Wu reiterated her position, stating that Boston police officers navigate perilous situations without the need for masks, further contending that ICE’s masking is part of a larger intimidation effort.
“What other definition of secret police is there — when people are getting snatched off the street by masked individuals, not being told where they’re going, disappeared until somehow someone finds some information?” she asked during an event in Roslindale.
The dispute escalated to the national stage, prompting a response from the White House, which issued a statement criticizing Mayor Wu for her views.
In another significant development in the immigration context, 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes Da Silva was released from ICE custody after being detained for six days during a targeted operation aimed at his father.
Gomes Da Silva, a junior at Milford High School, was freed on a $2,000 bond, and was flanked by U.S. Representatives Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss at a press briefing.
He recounted his harrowing experience at the Burlington ICE facility, where he endured cramped and unsanitary conditions, sleeping on a concrete floor with a mylar blanket and lacking privacy.
Gomes Da Silva’s attorney, Robin Nice, informed reporters that he is expected to face a lengthy process within the immigration court system.
He intends to seek asylum and may also consider applying for a new visa.
In a related legal case, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked a recent executive order from President Trump that sought to deny entry to foreign students wishing to attend Harvard University.
The ruling came shortly after Harvard filed a lawsuit against the order, and U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order preventing the action from going into effect.
As the legal battle unfolds, the emotional toll on affected foreign students is becoming increasingly evident.
Many had achieved their longstanding dreams of being admitted to Harvard but now face uncertainty about their futures and the possibility of never stepping foot on the prestigious campus in Cambridge.
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/06/ice-agents-masks-michelle-wu-leah-foley-newsletter
