“This administration insists on pursuing mass arrests and dragnet operations that are not targeted towards individuals who are a threat to public safety, but are instead designed to intimidate our friends and our neighbors. … Every time the public responds negatively to his illegal or unwise actions, he turns around and launches a wave of mass deportations.
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ICE Arrests at Least 31 People in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fall River — Most of Them Asylum Seekers on Their Way to Work — and Maura Healey Asks "Who Have They Arrested and Why?", Fall River's Mayor Says "That's Where They Overreach," and Jake Auchincloss Says the Operations Are "Designed to Intimidate Our Friends and Our Neighbors"
September 25, 2026
Beginning Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, ICE arrested at least 31 people across New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fall River on Massachusetts' South Coast. Advocates say most have pending asylum cases and were picked up on their way to jobs at fishing plants and supermarkets, and two Fall River students may be among them. ICE has not released names or numbers, and New Bedford's mayor says local police were not notified. Gov. Maura Healey demanded that ICE "provide information immediately." At a Sept. 24 news conference, Rep. Jake Auchincloss and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan condemned the operation as a dragnet aimed at working residents rather than public-safety threats.
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“When they target people on their way to work, when they target people leaving kids at daycare, when they target people that are helping our society, it's a big, big mistake. That's where they overreach.
“This is not the way the system should work. It reminds us yet again that America's immigration law and the agency primarily charged with enforcing it must be overhauled.
“ICE needs to provide information immediately. Who have they arrested and why? Our administration will continue to provide support to the community and families, but ICE needs to answer for their actions.