ICE Raids Trigger College Student Reactions
In Worcester, Massachusetts, the city has not been declared a sanctuary city, but city manager Eric Batista has stated that Worcester aims to create a welcoming environment for immigrants. Mayor Joseph Petty has sympathized with those in fear of deportation, but has not reported any recent ICE raids in the city. However, the recent arrest of an individual on Eureka Street has sparked protests and calls from City Councilor Khrystian King for audits, discretion in law enforcement, and better protections for immigrants.
Elsewhere in the state, an ICE raid at a pizzeria in Acton resulted in the detention of Lucas Ribeiro Dos Passos. His arrest has raised issues about the accuracy of ICE information and the use of masked agents, which state lawmakers are seeking to regulate with proposed legislation.
At the statewide and federal level, immigrant advocacy groups have stepped up legal challenges against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE policies. Recent lawsuits contest the abrupt termination of parole statuses that immigrants relied on to live and work legally, and a federal court has blocked a tactic allowing expedited deportations without court review. These legal battles reflect broader resistance to aggressive ICE enforcement practices in Massachusetts.
For students new to the area or hesitant to explore, the Latin American Student Organization at Holy Cross (LASO) has expressed solidarity with the Latinx community and immigrant communities, but has expressed disappointment with the Holy Cross administration's lack of acknowledgement regarding the impact of the current political climate on students. The A Holy Cross How To: Getting Off Campus article provides advice for students who want to venture into the city of Worcester.
As the winter solstice approaches, the early sunsets and chilling temperatures linger into late January and much of February. Chaplains and mental health services are available for students at Holy Cross for appointments related to student wellbeing. The stArt on the Street Festival was held on Worcester Park Avenue last Sunday, featuring vibrant music, dance, and art.
Recently, an email was sent by the ITS department at Holy Cross, warning students about phishing scams that impersonate ICE officials. Several events have been organized by student organizations to facilitate conversations about immigration, including a Pax Christi meeting, a DEI/Policy Impact discussion, and a fishbowl discussion.
As of August 2025, ICE raids in Worcester and Massachusetts have prompted significant local political response and community concern, with ongoing detentions and legal challenges. The number of collateral arrests in relation to the immigration crackdown is uncertain, but over 300 arrests related to immigration have been made across the U.S since President Donald Trump's second inauguration. The Purple Persistency article discusses the winter solstice and its impact on the amount of sunlight and temperatures.
This complex environment involving enforcement, local governance, and immigrant advocacy in Worcester and across Massachusetts is a topic of ongoing discussion and concern.
- The Latin American Student Organization (LASO) at Holy Cross has shown solidarity with the Latinx community and immigrant communities, expressing disappointment with the lack of acknowledgement from the Holy Cross administration regarding the impact of the current political climate on students.
- Student organizations at Holy Cross have organized several events to facilitate conversations about immigration, including a Pax Christi meeting, a DEI/Policy Impact discussion, and a fishbowl discussion.
- Ongoing ICE raids and detentions in Worcester and Massachusetts have sparked significant local political response and community concern, with over 300 arrests related to immigration made across the U.S since President Donald Trump's second inauguration.
- The complex environment involving enforcement, local governance, and immigrant advocacy in Worcester and across Massachusetts is a topic of ongoing discussion and concern, with ongoing detentions, legal challenges, and calls for audits, discretion in law enforcement, and better protections for immigrants.
