Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has found herself embroiled in a heated exchange with federal officials regarding immigration enforcement, particularly the tactics employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The conflict began when Wu accused ICE agents of operating like ‘secret police,’ wearing masks while allegedly ‘snatching’ individuals off the streets and instilling fear in local communities.
In response, ICE officials, including Todd Lyons, the head of the agency, defended the use of masks during operations.
Lyons expressed frustration, stating, ‘I’m sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but I’m not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line.’
The tension escalated when U.S. Attorney Leah Foley publicly criticized Wu, asserting that her comments put ICE agents at risk.
Wu reiterated her concerns about the masking of ICE agents, pointing out that the Boston police do not hide their identities, while noting that a New England neo-Nazi gang does.
By week’s end, the situation had attracted the attention of the White House, which branded Wu’s remarks as ‘disgusting’ and ‘dangerous.’
Throughout the controversy, Wu has maintained a calm demeanor.
Supporters argue that her stance is a necessary pushback against a Trump administration perceived to be targeting immigrant communities.
Jonathan Cohn, executive director of Progressive Massachusetts, stated, ‘Anything that you can do to slow them down and make those attacks more difficult is what the city should be doing, not trying to avoid attention.’
Political experts believe Wu is attempting to lead during a tumultuous time, even if it poses risks for Boston.
Erin O’Brien, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, noted, ‘But Michelle Wu and her administration reason that not standing up to individuals being taken off the streets… is something that she sees as a threat beyond all the others.’
Wu’s administration emphasizes that Boston adheres to legal guidelines, asserting that police are not permitted to assist in civil immigration arrests, although they collaborate with ICE on criminal matters.
This controversy follows a Congressional committee hearing just three months earlier, where Wu and other mayors faced scrutiny regarding ‘sanctuary’ city policies.
Within the city council, opinions differ.
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, a frequent critic of Wu, indicated he would prefer respectful dialogue over a war of words with federal officials.
He has suggested that police leadership meet directly with ICE representatives to facilitate understanding.
Interestingly, the city’s largest police union has thrown its support behind Wu while the union president, Larry Calderone, has chosen to refrain from commenting on the ICE situation.
Calderone stated, ‘As far as the mayor and what’s going on between herself and federal levels, I don’t comment on that.’
He affirmed his commitment to law enforcement and the bounds of Massachusetts law.
What separates Wu from other Democratic mayors is her overt confrontation with the Trump administration.
In contrast, leaders like Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have made concessions in the face of federal pressure.
In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson has adopted a more aggressive stance against the former president.
Wu’s opponent in the upcoming election, Josh Kraft, has not criticized her stance on ICE, describing its tactics as ‘abhorrent’ and ‘reprehensible.’
Activists in Boston, however, believe Wu should expand her efforts to protect immigrant rights further.
Fatema Ahmed, executive director of the Muslim Justice League, stated, ‘There are a lot of policies and things that she could actually do to help.’
In a statement following the White House’s criticism, Wu reaffirmed her commitment to differentiate between local police and federal immigration agents.
‘Tactics matter,’ Wu insisted, highlighting the need for trust in law enforcement.
She outlined her primary goal: to protect Boston residents while ensuring a truthful dialogue regarding community concerns.
Wu stated, ‘That means protecting our community and also speaking the truth when there are things happening in our community that are not making us safer.’
The Trump administration has shown a willingness to retaliate against cities that oppose its policies, with significant funding cuts already enacted against institutions like Harvard University.
Boston is currently under investigation for allegations of antisemitism, further heightening the stakes for Wu.
O’Brien commented, ‘We don’t know what’s coming next. Democracy is a fight, and Michelle Wu is directly in that fight.’
As Wu prepares for the forthcoming election, the outcome of this high-profile dispute may play a critical role in shaping her political future and the policies affecting immigrant communities in Boston.
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/07/mayor-wu-boston-ice-trump
