MS-13 Member and Child Sex Offender Detained During Federal Immigration Crackdown on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard
Immigration enforcement on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard leads to approximately 40 arrests, ICE reports.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a significant immigration enforcement operation on Tuesday across Massachusetts’ islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, resulting in approximately 40 arrests. According to an ICE press release, among those detained were individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including a documented member of the notorious MS-13 gang and at least one child sex offender.
The coordinated operation involved multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston’s acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde emphasized that the effort was intended to bolster public safety on the islands. “Our partners in the U.S. Coast Guard facilitated a safe and efficient transport of the alien offenders off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, ensuring the safety of the residents of those communities,” Hyde stated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amplified the significance of the operation through social media, warning that immigration enforcement remains active across all states, communities, and workplaces. In a statement shared online, the agency urged undocumented immigrants to use the CBP Home app to self-deport, cautioning that noncompliance could result in arrest and deportation without the possibility of returning.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also weighed in on the developments. Sharing news of the arrests on social media, Leavitt’s post communicated approval of the operation. Her remarks echoed the administration's broader stance against illegal immigration.
This enforcement effort aligns with recent federal initiatives aimed at reducing illegal immigration and increasing border security. The Trump administration has prioritized deporting individuals with criminal records and securing the nation’s borders following years of heightened unlawful crossings. As part of its strategy, the Department of Homeland Security has offered financial incentives—including a $1,000 stipend—for undocumented immigrants who voluntarily self-deport using the government’s designated mobile app.
The initiative, known as “Project Homecoming,” recently reported its first successful flight of self-deportees, with 64 individuals electing to leave the country in exchange for the travel stipend. Officials tout the program as a way to streamline the process and reduce enforcement costs while encouraging voluntary compliance with immigration laws.
In the aftermath of the operation, President Donald Trump released a forceful statement on Truth Social, criticizing previous administrations for what he characterized as lax border policies. He claimed that millions had entered the country illegally under his predecessor and reiterated his administration’s commitment to reversing those trends.
The latest operations and statements from federal officials underscore an ongoing shift toward aggressive immigration enforcement, both at traditional border entry points and in less expected locations such as island communities off the Massachusetts coast.
