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Over 614 ICE arrests documented in Massachusetts courthouses during 2025

Mar 18, 2026·Location: Massachusetts, MA

Country of origin: Guatemala

Over 614 ICE arrests documented in Massachusetts courthouses during 2025
Photo via WGBH

A GBH News analysis of trial court system data found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made at least 614 arrests in Massachusetts courthouses during 2025. Region 3, which includes Lynn, Lawrence, and Lowell, accounted for 227 of these detentions. Despite official policy prohibiting court officers from initiating contact with ICE, defense attorneys noted that court officers develop relationships with federal agents and provide information about defendants' court appearances. One documented case involved a man detained at Lynn District Court while disputing a civil infraction, who was subsequently deported to Guatemala despite holding a special immigrant juvenile visa and having a pending immigration court hearing. The arrests prompted state legislators and advocacy groups to propose legislation restricting ICE enforcement at courthouses for civil matters and limiting cooperation between local courts and federal immigration enforcement.

Timeline

Mar 18, 2026—State legislators and advocacy groups propose bills restricting ICE enforcement at courthouses for civil matters and limiting local court cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Mar 17, 2026—GBH News analysis of trial court system data released, documenting 614 ICE arrests in Massachusetts courthouses during 2025
Dec 31, 2025—Man detained at Lynn District Court while disputing civil infraction; subsequently deported to Guatemala despite holding special immigrant juvenile visa and pending immigration court hearing
Jan 1, 2025—Throughout 2025, ICE agents conduct at least 614 arrests in Massachusetts courthouses, with 227 occurring in Region 3 (Lynn, Lawrence, Lowell area)
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