Editor’s note: The story was updated at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday to add additional information regarding the charges.
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday revealed ICE has arrested at least seven people since it ramped up immigration enforcement in Boston over the weekend, describing those arrested as the “worst of the worst.”
Those arrested were wanted on charges including rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and assault, the agency said in a statement. The arrests came during what federal officials have dubbed “Operation Patriot 2.0.”
The first “Operation Patriot” led to the arrest of nearly 1,500 people across Massachusetts in May. But many of those arrested did not have a criminal record, according to The Boston Globe.
It was not immediately clear how many people beyond the seven listed by ICE have been detained.
ICE stated that the seven people were arrested in Boston, but has not provided specifics about where they were detained or where their charges originated.
The seven people did not have any charges filed in Boston as of Wednesday. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to MassLive’s request for comment.
The statement released Tuesday takes aim at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for Boston’s “sanctuary city” policy.
“Sanctuary policies like those pushed by Mayor Wu not only attract and harbor criminals but protect them at the peril of law-abiding American citizens,” said Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Days prior to the start of the second immigration crackdown targeting Boston, the Justice Department filed suit against the city in federal court. The lawsuit targets the Boston Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement in the city from aiding ICE in civil immigration efforts.
Both Wu and Gov. Maura Healey have slammed the immigration crackdown, with Healey deeming it an act of “political theater” and Wu saying the ramped-up enforcement does not make the city safer.
The seven people arrested by ICE are:
Victor Gomez-Perez, 33, of Guatemala, is charged with aggravated rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, indecent assault and battery on a victim 14 years or older, and assault and battery on a police officer. Gomez-Perez has a previous conviction for assault.
Kely Yohana Espinosa-Viana, 34, of Colombia, is charged with aggravated assault on a pregnant person.
Brahian Valdez-Placencia, 31, of the Dominican Republic, is charged with armed robbery, assault and battery, strangulation/suffocation, and violation of a court order.
Joshua Gonzalez Baez, 24, of the Dominican Republic, is charged with trafficking heroin/morphine/opium, resisting officer, disorderly conduct, drug distribution.
Samuel Armando Barrera-Hernandez, 20, of Guatemala, is charged with assault and battery on a child.
Noe Feliciano Garcia-Majia, 38, of Guatemala, has in the past been charged with strangulation/suffocation, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a family member.
Paulo Lima Borges, 39, of Cape Verde, has convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
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