An undocumented Brazilian suspect wanted for drug trafficking was apprehended in a Massachusetts sanctuary city.

In Somerville, where voting will take place next week on a resolution to reaffirm its sanctuary status, the suspect was apprehended and placed in custody.

An undocumented Brazilian suspect wanted for drug trafficking was apprehended in a Massachusetts sanctuary city.
An undocumented Brazilian suspect wanted for drug trafficking was apprehended in a Massachusetts sanctuary city.

An individual, who is a Brazilian citizen residing in the United States unlawfully and is wanted in his homeland for drug trafficking, was apprehended by federal officials in a Massachusetts sanctuary city close to Boston.

On Tuesday, an unidentified suspect was apprehended by ICE in Somerville, a city that is considering a resolution to maintain its sanctuary status and offer legal services to undocumented immigrants, despite its police department's pledge not to collaborate with ICE in the detention of illegal migrants.

In 2022, a Brazilian entered the U.S. through El Paso, Texas, and was released despite being charged with drug trafficking back home.

Brazilian illegal immigrant arrested
A Brazilian illegal immigrant wanted in his home country for drug trafficking was arrested in Massachusetts, authorities said.  (ICE)

"ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde stated that a noncitizen is accused of serious crimes in Brazil. "Our primary mission is public safety, and our officers are dedicated to removing potentially dangerous noncitizens from our streets," she added."

In June, after his failed appeal in January, a federal immigration judge issued him a final order of removal.

A Dominican national who entered the U.S. illegally in July 2021 was arrested in Massachusetts and charged with child molestation/sexual assault in Rhode Island. Belardis Tapia Gonzalez was arrested just outside Boston in the city of Lynn on Monday.

An MS-13 gang member from El Salvador who entered the U.S. as a fugitive was convicted of assault in the state. Although ICE placed a detainer on him with Northampton District Court, he was released into the community without federal immigration authorities being notified.

Belardis Tapia Gonzalez arrested
Belardis Tapia Gonzalez was arrested in Lynn, Mass., on Monday, according to ICE. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

He was eventually arrested in Northhampton.

Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have faced criticism from Democrats for opposing President-elect Donald Trump's promise to deport illegal immigrants once he takes office in January.

Healey pledged that her state police will not cooperate with the anticipated mass deportation plan by the incoming Trump administration, emphasizing that she will employ "all available resources" to "defend" the state's residents.

The Governor's office stated on Thursday that as part of immigration enforcement, individuals who commit violent crimes like those alleged should be deported.

Healey-Trump-Wu-split
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have said they won't comply with President-elect Trump's immigration enforcement efforts when he returns to the White House in January. (Getty Images)

On Sunday, Wu stated that her city will not collaborate with the incoming administration's impending mass deportation operation, even though the region has seen a significant number of illegal immigrants with criminal charges being released back onto the streets.

On Thursday, the MassGOP criticized Healey and Wu for prioritizing politics over public safety during the apprehension of undocumented criminals.

"The Governor of Massachusetts and the Mayor of Boston are prioritizing the demands of their most radical political base over the safety of Massachusetts residents, according to MassGOP chairwoman Amy Carnevale. Parents across the state are horrified that individuals charged with serious crimes are allowed to roam free because local authorities refuse to work with ICE to remove these criminals from our streets."

Planet Chronicle Digital's Greg Wehner and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

by Louis Casiano,Bill Melugin

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