Boston Mayor Michelle Wu drew the ire of the Department of Homeland Security after she criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for wearing masks.
Wu told local outlet WCVB on Wednesday that she didn’t know of “any police department that routinely wears masks” like ICE agents do. Instead she pointed out that the neo-Nazi group “NSC-131 routinely wears masks.” As the video of her comments circulated online, it drew a response from DHS, which houses ICE.
“Mayor Wu comparing ICE agents to neo-Nazis is SICKENING,” DHS wrote on X Thursday. “When our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations, they clearly identify themselves as law enforcement while wearing masks to protect themselves from being targeted by known and suspected gang members, murders, and rapists. Attacks and demonization of our brave law enforcement is WRONG.”
According to the agency, “our ICE officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults while carrying out arrests.”
The White House also circulated the video online and pointed to the efforts of ICE in Boston despite the city’s status as a sanctuary city and lack of cooperation.
“ICE just conducted its largest ever immigration enforcement operation across Massachusetts and Mayor Wu’s city of Boston, where they arrested nearly 800 illegals with criminal records,” the White House rapid response account wrote on X.
ICE just conducted its largest ever immigration enforcement operation across Massachusetts and Mayor Wu's city of Boston, where they arrested nearly 800 illegals with criminal records.
Here are just a few of the vicious monsters the heroes of ICE nabbed:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 5, 2025
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Wu has also previously quarreled with other members of the Trump administration, including border czar Tom Homan and Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, this has not stopped federal law enforcement from continuing to operate in Boston, as Bondi promised that “criminals will be prosecuted, illegal aliens will be arrested, and justice will be served,” even in the sanctuary city.
During a congressional hearing earlier this year alongside other mayors of sanctuary cities, Wu claimed, “Boston is the safest major city in the United States because we are safe for everyone.” The mayor has continued to buck deportation efforts whenever possible.
