WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the arrest made in East Boston today by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“The incident today in East Boston, in which a man on his way to work was stopped and ultimately apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is deeply disturbing and once again raises questions about the agency’s growing presence and operations in our communities. We cannot stand by while ICE agents continue to terrorize neighborhoods in the Massachusetts 7th or anywhere in the Commonwealth.

“Our immigrant families are struggling as this pandemic wages. Not only are many of our immigrant neighbors essential workers but many immigrant families have been systematically denied relief benefits.

“We must support each other through these difficult times and every resident of the Commonwealth should be met with support and compassion—not criminalization.

“We demand transparency into ICE’s enforcement activities in the Boston area—including their collaboration with local law enforcement. The fear and intimidation this rogue agency exacts in our communities must end.”

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