DHS Clashes with Boston Councilor Over “Abduction” Claims Following ICE Arrest of Alleged Trafficker
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a sharp rebuke against Boston City Council member Enrique Pepén, accusing the local official of spreading “smears” after he characterized a federal immigration arrest as an abduction. The dispute centers on the apprehension of a foreign national in the Roslindale neighborhood, an incident that has reignited tensions between federal enforcement agencies and Boston’s sanctuary city leadership.
The conflict began after Council member Pepén issued a public statement condemning what he termed an “ICE abduction in Rozzie Square.” According to Pepén, federal agents took a “neighbor” from their vehicle in broad daylight in front of a local business, an action he described as creating “havoc and fear” within the community. Pepén urged residents to look out for one another and reiterated his commitment to removing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations from local neighborhoods.
“The only smearing that I see is the way that ICE is treating our people, the way that they come after our community and are able to continue to wear masks and create havoc,” Pepén stated in a video response, arguing that residents should not live in fear while conducting daily errands regardless of their immigration status.
DHS officials strongly disputed Pepén’s characterization, releasing details regarding the target of the operation to counter the “abduction” narrative. According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the individual arrested was Jose Perez-Antonio, a man federal authorities describe as a “serial criminal” facing multiple serious charges.
“ICE did not abduct anyone,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “We did arrest a criminal that this sanctuary politician and his policies released from their jails to terrorize more innocent Americans.” DHS specified that Perez-Antonio is accused of identity theft and trafficking cocaine and fentanyl. The agency framed the arrest as a necessary public safety measure, criticizing local policies that they claim allowed the suspect to remain at large despite his criminal record.
This verbal confrontation highlights the ongoing friction between Boston’s local ordinances and federal immigration enforcement. As a sanctuary jurisdiction, Boston limits the cooperation of local law enforcement with federal immigration requests, a policy proponents argue is essential for maintaining trust between immigrant communities and the police. However, federal officials maintain that such policies obstruct the removal of dangerous individuals, putting the broader public at risk.
The incident comes amidst a broader push by federal leadership to increase enforcement visibility and challenge local non-cooperation policies. While Pepén continues to encourage residents to report ICE sightings to community networks, DHS has signaled it will not be deterred by local political opposition, stating that those who break the law “will face the consequences.”
theblaze.com
