Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

Is Interfering With ICE Illegal in Boston?

Many Boston residents do not agree with new immigration policies, including more aggressive ICE activity. Those who witness people taken off the streets by ICE may feel obliged to stand up and push back. But is it illegal to interfere with ICE in Boston? A recent case in Boston shows that you might face numerous charges for this type of behavior, and these charges could cause issues for the rest of your life. Can a defense attorney in Boston help in this situation?

Numerous Residents Have Been Arrested for Interfering With ICE Officials

Since these new policies have come into effect, many Boston residents have been arrested for interfering with ICE officials. A notable incident occurred in May of 2025, when at least two individuals were arrested for standing up to ICE officials in Worcester. The interaction was captured by an individual with a smartphone camera, and it involved a large crowd of individuals surrounding an ICE vehicle. 

The car contained a woman who had recently been taken into custody by ICE. The crowd prevented the vehicle from leaving, and federal agents report that some of these individuals became physically violent toward them. One woman was captured on camera holding her baby in front of a vehicle, thereby preventing the federal agents from leaving the scene. This defendant then allegedly kicked the vehicle, and she was arrested on numerous charges – including child endangerment. 

Another woman was also arrested for pushing officers and throwing liquid in their faces. She faces charges such as assault and battery on a police officer. The mayor of Worcester sided with the crowd, stating that he was devastated to hear about ICE breaking up a family. 

In another incident reported by AOL, ICE agents were filmed leaving a young child on the side of a street after arresting an adult. The adult had been walking with the child when the masked ICE agents appeared. A city councilor of Waltham City expressed similar frustration to the Worcester mayor. This incident happened at around the same time as the incident in Worcester. 

Interfering With ICE Agents May Be Illegal

Although you have the right to protest and exercise free speech, you could face consequences if you interfere with ICE agents in certain ways. Assault is always a criminal offense, even if you try to physically prevent an ICE agent from taking someone else into custody. You might also face consequences for providing a false report to an ICE officer, perhaps when trying to save someone you care about. 

If you face any of these charges, you might want to contact an experienced defense attorney in Boston. It may be possible to mitigate your penalties.

Can a Boston Defense Attorney Help After an ICE Incident?

A Boston defense attorney may be able to help if you’re facing criminal charges after an ICE incident. Whether you merely interfered with ICE officers or you assaulted them, you should not face excessive punishments. An experienced lawyer may be able to help you mitigate penalties with various strategies. Learn more by contacting Edward R. Molari today.