BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT]  –  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement partners apprehended 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders March 18-23.

“The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live.”

During the six-day enhanced operation, ICE and federal law enforcement partners targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street gangs.

“This week’s enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “ICE will use every resource and authority we have to prioritize the safety and security of our communities.”

“Everyone should agree that we cannot and will not tolerate individuals who not only violate our immigration laws but then commit crimes that endanger our communities. Those who enter and remain in this country unlawfully are breaking the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley. “My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that dangerous individuals are identified, prosecuted, and removed, so that the people of Massachusetts can live and work in safe and secure communities.”

205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges. Six were foreign fugitives currently facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering

“Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply can’t permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretenses, with unknown allegiances and intentions. It’s a direct threat to public safety and our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen. “There’s no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts.”

Law enforcement officials seized approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms and ammunition from illegal alien offenders during the operation.

“DEA is proud to have worked with our federal partners in this successful enforcement effort using all of the resources of the federal government to remove violent criminal aliens from our communities, said DEA New England Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau. “DEA has prioritized investigations on those involving violent, illegal criminal aliens responsible for flooding our communities with deadly and dangerous drugs. DEA’s core mission is to keep the American public safe by seizing deadly and dangerous drugs before they get into our communities, and to bring justice to the criminals responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and supplying these drugs.”

ICE and their federal law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release aliens from custody, forcing officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities.

“The successful outcome of this immigration enforcement operation demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division James M. Ferguson. “By targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws.”

“The Diplomatic Security Service is fully committed to supporting the Administration’s priority to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien. “This enhanced operation definitively made our communities safer. DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to conduct passport, visa fraud, and human trafficking investigations and assist in apprehending fugitives to protect the integrity of U.S. borders and prevent illegal immigration.”

Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

• A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with multiple drug distribution crimes, arrested in Boston.
• A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with trafficking fentanyl, arrested in Boston.
• A Chilean alien convicted of 4 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old, arrested in Marlborough.
• A Brazilian alien charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny, arrested in Worcester.
• A Honduran alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14 and failure to register as a sex offender, arrested in Salem.
• A Brazilian alien wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country, arrested in Milford.
• A Brazilian alien wanted for homicide in in his home country, arrested in Lowell.
• A Russian alien charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization, arrested in Medford.
• A Dominican alien wanted for homicide in his native country, arrested in Dorchester.
• A Brazilian alien wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm arrested in Marlborough.
• A Salvadoran alien previously deported from the U.S. and documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years committed arrested in Wakefield.
• A Guatemalan alien charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, arrested in New Bedford.
• A Jamaican alien previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault arrested in Pittsfield.
• A Brazilian alien wanted in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, membership in a criminal organization arrested in West Yarmouth.

Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were the Boston offices of the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

OTHER RECENT MASSACHUSETTS/ NORTHEASTERN U.S. ARREST HIGHLIGHTS:

ICE Boston arrests Lebanese alien charged with assault, battery, sex crime in Massachusetts

LAKEVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS  – [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/26/25]  —  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Pierre Maurice Al-Asmar, an illegally present Lebanese national charged with assault and battery and indecent assault and battery on person 14 or over, Jan. 25 in Lakeville.

“Pierre Maurice Al-Asmar has not only shown a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws, but he has been charged with horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts resident,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He represents a significant threat to the people of New England that ICE will not tolerate. We remain dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal aliens.”

Al-Asmar lawfully entered the United States and later violated the terms of his lawful admission.

The Lakeville District Court arraigned Al-Asmar Feb. 5, 2024, for the sex crime and assault and battery charges.

ICE served Al-Asmar with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge following his arrest.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

ICE arrests Brazilian national for selling fake Social Security cards and green cards

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS  – [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/25/25]  —  An illegally present Brazilian national, residing in Woburn, was arrested March 18 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “green cards.”

Liene Tavares De Barros, Jr., 39, is charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature.

According to the charging documents, Tavares De Barros sold a Social Security card and a green card to an undercover officer in October 2024 in exchange for $250. In December 2024, Tavares De Barros allegedly sold two more Social Security cards and green cards to the undercover officer in exchange for $500.

The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Tavares De Barros will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Tavares De Barros was previously removed by ICE in 2010 and 2022.

The investigation was conducted by the ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. DBFTFs target and dismantle the transnational criminal organizations and individuals that threaten U.S. national security and public safety – and address vulnerabilities that exist in the immigration system. Through collaboration and partnership, the DBFTFs maximize resources, eliminate duplication of effort, promote the information sharing, and produce a strong law enforcement presence. DBFTFs safeguard against fraudulent activities related to documents and benefits in the United States.

*  The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

“CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ESPIONAGE…”  

ICE arrests Chinese national convicted of illegally acting as agent of foreign government

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/26/25]  –  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended a Chinese national who was convicted of illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government.

ICE Newark arrested Ming Xi Zhang March 24 in Newark, New Jersey, He remains in ICE custody.

“Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States is subject to deportation,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.

Zhang lawfully entered the United States in June 2000 at the Los Angeles International Airport; however, he violated the terms of his lawful admission.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey convicted Zhang for illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General and sentenced him on April 30, 2024, to probation for a term of three years.

ABOVE IMAGE: ICE apprehended Ming Xi Zhang, a Chinese national who was sentenced last year for acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the U.S. Attorney General. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark arrested and detained him on March 24 in Newark, New Jersey He remains in ICE custody. 

ICE arrests Brazilian national convicted of drug trafficking in home country

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/25/25]  –  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Dirlei Da Luz Da Silva, 35, a citizen of Brazil wanted by Brazilian authorities for failing to appear and serve his 12 year, 10-month sentence for drug trafficking related crimes, in Long Branch, New Jersey, March 21.

“We are committed to arresting aliens who have been involved in criminal activity, whether it be in the U.S. or overseas,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.

Da Luz was arrested March 6, 2024, by the U.S. Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas. The Border Patrol served Da Luz with a notice to appear before releasing him on an order of release on recognizance, pending removal proceedings.

Brazilian authorities issued a criminal arrest warrant for Da Luz in January.

The FBI assisted ICE with the arrest, and Da Luz remains in ICE custody.

ICE, partners’ rapid response locate suspect at Newark airport attempting to flee the US

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – [ICE MEDIA STATEMENT – 3/25/25]  –  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, assisted by New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police, the United States Customs and Border Protection and Federal Air Marshals Service, located and apprehended a Hungarian national at the Newark Liberty International Airport March 13 who was wanted for allegedly raping a child.

Mihaly Bodner was arrested on a Hornell City Court warrant for first degree statutory rape of a child under 13 years of age by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark.

“When our team at Newark’s airport received a call from HSI Buffalo that the suspect was believed to be attempting to flee the United States, they immediately coordinated a search for the individual” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “I commend the efficiency of the subject matter experts who utilized their skills and advanced technology to locate the target without incident. Their actions proved how the partnership of law enforcement agencies is the most valuable resource in leading investigations and achieving mission success.”

Bodnar admitted to law enforcement that he was attempting to flee the country on an outbound international flight the same day. He will be prosecuted by the Stueben County District Attorney’s Office, New York.

“This is the way law enforcement is supposed to work – together,” said Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker. “Using experience and expertise to maximize all available resources, city, county and federal agencies were able to take a child predator off the streets to face justice.”

Sgt. Tom Aini, an investigator with the Hornell County Police Department in New York was credited with confirming the identity of the suspect and rapidly engaging with other law enforcement partners to assist in the arrest and prevent Bodnar from leaving the United States.

Stueben County DA said Bodnar could face up to 25 years in prison.

*  The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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