MS-13 gang members and a child sex predator were among 40 illegal immigrants arrested in a sweeping ICE operation targeting the elite vacation destinations of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Key Takeaways
- ICE and federal partners detained approximately 40 illegal immigrants on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, including MS-13 gang members and a child sex offender.
- The operation involved collaboration between ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, and the U.S. Coast Guard, which assisted in transporting detainees off the islands.
- Local law enforcement was informed but did not participate in the operation, which included targeted arrests and traffic stops.
- The raids come three years after Governor Ron DeSantis sent migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, which sparked controversy when residents ultimately removed them from the island.
- The operation is part of President Trump’s broader effort to enforce immigration laws and protect American communities from criminal illegal aliens.
Federal Agencies Unite to Remove Criminal Illegal Aliens from Elite Enclaves
In a decisive action that brought federal immigration enforcement to the doorsteps of America’s wealthy elite, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a major operation on Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard. The operation resulted in the detention of approximately 40 illegal immigrants, including dangerous MS-13 gang members and at least one child sexual predator. This coordinated effort demonstrated the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws regardless of location, even in affluent communities that have historically positioned themselves as “sanctuary” areas for illegal immigrants.
“ICE officers and FBI, DEA and ATF agents worked together to arrest a significant number of illegal alien offenders which included at least one child predator,” ICE wrote in a statement. “Our partners in the U.S. Coast Guard facilitated a safe and efficient transport of the alien offenders off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, ensuring the safety of the residents of those communities,” stated ICE.
The operation utilized traffic stops and targeted arrests, methods similar to those previously deployed in Nashville. Local authorities, including the Nantucket Police Department, were informed of the operation but did not actively participate. The U.S. Coast Guard played a crucial role in transporting detainees safely off the islands, highlighting the multi-agency approach that President Trump has championed to restore order to our immigration system and protect American citizens from criminal aliens who have exploited our porous borders.
Law Enforcement Partnerships Strengthen National Security
The collaborative effort between ICE and other federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and ATF exemplifies the Trump administration’s whole-of-government approach to immigration enforcement and public safety. This operation demonstrated that federal agencies can work efficiently together to identify and remove dangerous illegal aliens from American communities. The coordinated response sends a clear message that no area of the country is exempt from immigration law enforcement, particularly when public safety is at risk from criminal elements hiding within illegal immigrant populations.
“Operations like this highlight the strong alliances that ICE shares with our fellow law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde.
FBI Boston representatives emphasized their commitment to supporting the Department of Homeland Security in enforcing immigration laws, particularly when those violations coincide with threats to public safety. This operation reinforces President Trump’s directive to prioritize the removal of criminal aliens who pose direct threats to American communities. The administration has made it clear that self-deportation is the best option for those in the country illegally, with ICE using social media to warn about the consequences of failing to comply with immigration laws.
Elite Enclaves Face Reality of Immigration Crisis
The islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, known more for their wealthy summer residents and tourism than for criminal activity, have been forced to confront the reality that illegal immigration affects all communities. The operation has caused significant concern among the islands’ illegal immigrant population, with some residents reporting that individuals were being taken from their cars during traffic stops. This enforcement action brings the national immigration crisis directly to communities that have often viewed it as a distant problem affecting primarily border states.
“People in general are extremely afraid,” she told the Nantucket Current. “They are in a panic. They don’t know what to expect for tomorrow and the other days to come,” said Luciene Alves.
The timing of this operation is particularly noteworthy as it comes three years after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made headlines by sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, sparking controversy when the island’s wealthy residents, after initial public statements of welcome, quickly arranged to have the migrants removed. That incident exposed the hypocrisy of sanctuary policies advocated by wealthy communities that aren’t prepared to handle the consequences. President Trump’s administration has now demonstrated that immigration enforcement will reach every corner of America, including the playgrounds of the elite, when public safety is at stake.
