Recent reports have highlighted several arrests of illegal immigrants in Massachusetts, including Boston, on charges of sexual assault and abuse against minors. These incidents have intensified public discourse as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi over her threats to withhold federal funds if the city does not cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Among the arrested individuals is Cory Bernard Alvarez, a Haitian national who allegedly raped a minor at a migrant shelter in August 2024. ICE’s Boston field office confirmed the arrest, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to prioritizing public safety by removing noncitizen offenders. Former Boston ICE official Todd Lyons, now the agency’s national director, stated, ‘We cannot allow any significant noncitizen threat to the children of our communities to potentially reoffend.’
Other cases include Akim Marc Desire, accused of molesting a 10-year-old in a Boston suburb, and Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz, alleged to have horrifically victimized another minor. ICE field office director Patricia Hyde condemned these threats, stating, ‘We owe it to the children of our New England communities to prioritize public safety above everything else.’ Similar cases have led to arrests in Framingham, Nantucket, and Lawrence, with some individuals having previous deportation records.
ICE Director Todd Lyons highlighted the importance of detainers, which are used to enforce removals of noncitizens arrested for criminal activity. He noted that detainers enhance public safety by transferring individuals to controlled custodial settings, minimizing the risk of reoffending. Recent arrests also include a Haitian migrant who publicly insulted President Donald Trump during an arrest, reflecting broader tensions.
As tensions over federal immigration enforcement escalate, the Boston community and authorities are under increased scrutiny to address the safety concerns raised by these incidents and the broader debate over sanctuary city policies.