BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu is under fire from federal immigration officials after she likened masked ICE agents to “secret police” and drew comparisons to neo-Nazi tactics during a radio interview — intensifying an already fraught national debate over immigration enforcement.
Wu’s comments came in late May on WBUR, where she raised concerns about masked, plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arresting people without explanation.
“People are getting snatched off the street by secret police,” Wu said. “They’re wearing masks and can offer no justification for why certain people are being taken and then detained.”
📍 Context: ICE Mask Policy and Public Safety
Federal officials, including ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, pushed back sharply on Wu’s remarks. Lyons defended the use of masks during enforcement operations as a protective measure for agents whose identities have previously been exposed.
“People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves,” said Lyons. “The masks are about safety, not secrecy.”
ICE also pointed to the March arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student detained in a Boston suburb, as a lawful operation that complied with federal procedure — a claim civil rights groups have disputed.
🧭 Wu Doubles Down
Despite criticism, Wu has not backed down. Instead, she’s amplifying her opposition to ICE’s methods, particularly within the context of Boston’s sanctuary city policies.
- On March 5, she testified before Congress, defending Boston’s approach to immigration as one that prioritizes community safety and trust.
- This week, Wu signed a new executive order directing city agencies to regularly file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking details on ICE arrests within city limits.
- She also took aim at former ICE acting director Tom Homan, now the Biden administration’s border czar, advising him to “take a time out” on nationwide ICE operations.
“It is our responsibility to make sure that communication between our residents and the city of Boston… boosts trust and collaboration,” Wu said.
🔥 Political Risks and Re-election Stakes
Wu’s statements have ignited intense political debate, with opponents accusing her of undermining law enforcement and federal authority. Supporters argue she’s protecting immigrant communities from unjust treatment.
The timing is notable: Wu is running for re-election, and her public standoff with federal authorities could become a flashpoint in the campaign — particularly as immigration remains a top national issue heading into the 2026 election cycle.
🚨 What’s Next?
Wu’s comments add to a growing list of local and state officials — particularly in blue cities — challenging the legality and transparency of aggressive ICE operations, especially those that appear to blur the line between civil enforcement and covert policing.
Meanwhile, ICE has shown no signs of scaling back. As federal raids escalate nationwide, so too does the tension between Washington and progressive city leaders — with Boston now on the front lines of the fight.
