ICE Detainment Sparks Fear Amongst Undocumented Community In Lynn, Mass.

Photo: WBZ NewsRadio

LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramps up detainments, concern is mounting in Lynn, Mass.

On Monday, 18-year-old Zeneyda Barrera, originally from Nicaragua, was arrested on assault charges. According to a police report obtained by ItemLive, Barrera allegedly assaulted her younger brother in a dispute over a cell phone.

When Barrera arrived at Lynn District Court on Monday, she was detained by ICE. While it remains unclear what will happen to her next, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson told WBZ NewsRadio that the city has offered the woman’s mother legal resources.

“We have been told that ICE would be targeting violent offenders whose presence puts our community at risk. Based on what we have learned so far, that is not what is happening in this case. The facts here show that in order to genuinely partner with communities on public safety, ICE needs to take all the circumstances into account,” said Nicholson in a statement.

Word of her detainment spread quickly amongst the city’s undocumented community. For Isabella of Lynn, the incident is a glaring reminder of how things can escalate at a moment's notice.

“I’m just hoping for the best for my loved ones and everyone else,” said Isabella. “It’s terrible. I’m terrified.”

Gloria has many friends in Lynn who are undocumented and said they mainly fear separation.

“They’re not worried about leaving, but they’re worried about not being able to be with their family,” said Gloria.

Lea is also from Lynn and hopes the raids and detainments can focus on those with dangerous criminal records, instead of people who are here for a better life.

“As we know, there’s good people and there are some bad people here,” said Lea. “It’s sad that the good people, the hard-working people, are still going through this.”

WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.

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