House Judiciary Committee Releases Sanctuary Report on Boston
The House Judiciary Committee released a report targeting Boston and Massachusetts sanctuary policies on the eve of an election. The committee stated that local policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and allow individuals with criminal histories to remain in the community.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office dismissed the report as an empty political attack from House Republicans. The Boston Herald reported on the document, which focuses on local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Boston Police Ignored Dozens of Detainer Requests
Federal lawmakers focused heavily on Boston’s handling of ICE detainer requests. The congressional report states that Boston Police ignored 54 detainer requests in 2026. This follows data showing the city ignored 167 detainer requests in 2025.
According to the committee, local law enforcement has not transferred a single foreign national criminal into ICE custody based on an ICE detainer since 2021. Nonpublic documents obtained by the committee indicate that the city actively shields foreign nationals from federal accountability.
Data gathered by investigators shows that law enforcement in Boston encountered individuals from Colombia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, China, Morocco, and Venezuela in the first 10 months of 2026. Many of these individuals carried prior criminal convictions.
The city’s resistance stems partly from the Trust Act. Former Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston City Council signed the measure into law in 2014, prohibiting local police from assisting ICE with civil immigration enforcement.
Residents Report Feeling Unsafe in Downtown Boston
Public safety concerns anchor much of the congressional criticism. The report highlights an October survey by the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association showing that 56% of residents feel unsafe downtown and on Boston Common. That figure marks a 22% increase from the 34% recorded in 2025.
Investigators also criticized Mayor Wu for remarks made in 2025 comparing ICE agents to neo-Nazis. The committee noted that the Department of Homeland Security reported a more than 1,600% increase in assaults against ICE officials during their duties.
A spokesperson for Mayor Wu defended the city’s approach in a statement to the Boston Herald. The spokesperson called the report an empty attack from House Republicans who are on the cusp of losing their majority.
Boston’s community policing, including the Trust Act, have helped make Boston the safest major City in the country, and we will continue to defend the policies that protect our residents,
the spokesperson said.
Report Examines Massachusetts Sanctuary Policies and Protect Act
Beyond Boston, the congressional report examines Massachusetts sanctuary policies, specifically the recently signed Protect Act. Investigators argue these measures prevent state and local agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The report points to several specific cases. These include a Brazilian national facing pending charges for negligent homicide and two other individuals charged with sex crimes who were shielded from ICE custody.
The document also references a marriage fraud ring uncovered by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley’s office. Prosecutors say the ringleader advertised Massachusetts as a sanctuary jurisdiction to commit immigration fraud.
Republican candidate for governor Mike Minogue joined 12 of the state’s 14 sheriffs last week in urging Gov. Maura Healey to address public safety concerns tied to the Protect Act. Meanwhile, President Trump signed executive orders in 2025 directing the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to penalize sanctuary jurisdictions by withholding federal funds.
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