The White House’s border czar has once again singled out Boston for its stance on immigration, saying he’ll be “bringing hell” to the city over its policies regarding immigrants.
Why it matters: This ongoing clash between Boston and the federal government highlights the growing national divide over sanctuary city policies.
Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu is one of three major city mayors set to testify before a House panel next month about these policies.
The latest: Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticized Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for limiting cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents. Cox, in a recent interview with the Boston Herald, explained that the department’s policies adhere to state laws that limit their response to civil detainer requests from federal agents.
What they’re saying: Homan fired back, saying, “You’re not a police commissioner. Take that badge off your chest. Put it in a desk drawer because you became a politician. You forgot what it was like to be a cop.”
The other side: Mayor Wu responded in a BlueSky post, stating that the city will “continue following & enforcing the laws to keep all Bostonians safe.” She also expressed her full confidence in Commissioner Cox.
Context: Tensions over immigration policies in Boston have intensified since President Trump’s reelection in November, especially following the federal government’s rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. The decision affects around 4,700 Haitian TPS holders in Massachusetts. Local Haitian businesses, like Gourmet Kreyol, have spoken out, saying, “Our communities deserve better.”
Wu has stated the city is working with the Haitian community to find the best legal path to protect those affected by the policy change.
What we’re watching: The coming months will determine whether Boston faces cuts to federal funding or further actions from the Trump administration. The situation could also influence how safe immigrants feel in a city that prides itself on its pro-immigrant stance.
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