On Fridays, at Worcester’s El Buen Samaritano (EBS) food program, Executive Director Mari Gonzalez and her staff, provide free food to whoever needs it.
Many who line up are undocumented.
This Friday, with fresh news of ICE crackdowns in Massachusetts, Mari noticed fewer people showing up at EBS.
Trump gives ICE power to quickly deport migrants Biden allowed into US, report says
“We usually see 300 families today. And there wasn’t that many today, because they are in fear,” Gonzalez said. “I had messages, DMs, ‘Can you deliver? Because I don’t want to go out there.’ The fear is real.”
Almost immediately after returning to the White House Monday, President Donald Trump signed executive orders revamping official US Immigration policy, paving the way for ICE to round up undocumented migrants, even at schools.
On Wednesday, ICE agents made arrests in East Boston.
In Worcester, the District Attorney expressed concern
“I was talking to a teacher yesterday and he told me he’s really sad because the students would be looking out the window, saying, ‘Who’s that car, who’s there? Are they coming to get us? Are my parents be there when I get home?’ We got to talk about this a little bit more,” Early said.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement are trying to come to terms with new policies toward immigration crackdowns.
The Worcester County Sheriff is backing a new bill that would allow jails to hold undocumented migrants who are charged with crimes and who have federal detainers on them for the feds.
“It provides law enforcement a 36 hour window to hold people and give ICE the opportunity if they determine them a public safety risk, to come take them into custody,” Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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