Homeland Security Responds to Boston Mayor's Statement Comparing ICE Agents to Neo-Nazis

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a strongly worded condemnation on Thursday after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu drew a controversial comparison between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the neo-Nazi group NSC-131. The backlash centers on remarks Wu made in a recent video, where she questioned the use of masks by law enforcement officers during operations, stating, "I don't know of any police department that routinely wears masks," before referencing NSC-131 as a group that also hides its identity in public.

The DHS responded via social media, calling Wu's comments "sickening," and emphasizing that "our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations while clearly identifying themselves as law enforcement, even when wearing masks to protect themselves from being targeted by known and suspected gang members, murderers, and rapists." The agency further warned against demonizing federal officers, noting that ICE personnel have experienced a 413% increase in assaults amid escalating tensions and public scrutiny.

Amid the controversy, the Anti-Defamation League provided additional context regarding NSC-131, describing the group as adherents of an extremist ideology who "consider themselves soldiers at war with a hostile, Jewish-controlled system that is deliberately plotting the extinction of the White race." Wu’s remarks appeared to draw a direct line between such groups and ICE agents based on their appearance during certain enforcement actions, a comparison that has deeply angered federal authorities.

Mayor Wu has continued to voice concerns over ICE’s methods, recently stating in a radio interview that "people are terrified for their lives and for their neighbors," and referenced accounts of "folks getting snatched off the street by secret police who are wearing masks, who can offer no justification for why certain people are being taken and then detained." These statements have fueled further debate over federal immigration enforcement practices in sanctuary cities like Boston.

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons addressed the situation directly, urging Wu to consider the real-world impact of her rhetoric. "These are real people with real families you're hurting with your ridiculous rhetoric and inflammatory comments and it’s time to remember that," he said in a message published Wednesday.

Leah Foley, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, also weighed in with a video statement. Foley argued that "federal agents in marked jackets and vests are masking their faces because people like Mayor Wu have created false narratives about their mission. Federal agents and their children are being threatened, doxxed and assaulted. That is why they must hide their faces."

The incident comes at a time of heightened sensitivity around both immigration enforcement and anti-extremist efforts in New England. With rumors of ICE raids previously sparking protests and confrontations in Minneapolis and elsewhere, officials are increasingly warning against the spread of what they call irresponsible and inflammatory information from elected leaders. The debate continues as lawmakers, law enforcement, and community members confront ongoing challenges at the intersection of public policy, safety, and civil liberties.