April 2, 2025 |Immigration, News, Politics

Neighbor to Neighbor Condemns Escalating ICE Raids and the Recent Abduction of Rümeysa Öztürk, Calling It an Attack on Freedom, Speech, and the Immigrant Community

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Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts condemns the recent unconstitutional actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Massachusetts, including the alarming detention of Tufts University doctoral student and Fulbright scholar, Rümeysa Öztürk.  In just six days, ICE agents claim to have arrested  more than 350 people across the Boston area alone, ripping families apart and sowing fear in immigrant neighborhoods. We also refute the label “migrant criminals” which is a clear attempt to justify these unconstitutional actions.

The escalation of ICE raids in Massachusetts is not just about numbers, it’s a representation of people whose lives are being torn apart. Our communities are being eroded at the base levels and we are determined to provide residents with the tools they need to stand in defense of their communities.

Speaking at the SEIU International day of action yesterday evening, Executive Director at Neighbor to Neighbor, Dálida Rocha said, “Families in Massachusetts and across the country are being torn apart by an immigration system that is cruel, dysfunctional, and unjust.” Rocha continued, “Every abduction, deportation, every detention, every immigration raid is a direct attack on the fabric of our communities.”

Immigrants have been the backbone of Massachusetts’ economy for generations, driving growth across key industries such as healthcare, education, construction, and technology. Immigrant-owned businesses contribute billions to the local economy, creating jobs and revitalizing communities. Immigrants’ contributions are undeniable, and yet, they continue to face unjust attacks that threaten their livelihoods and the prosperity of the entire state.

Neighbor to Neighbor is mobilizing communities across Lynn, Worcester, Springfield, and Holyoke to gather resources to understand their fundamental rights against these unconstitutional ICE operations. We are demanding a full investigation into ICE’s recent abductions and raids, and immediate accountability for their actions, as well as state and local protections for immigrants including legal support and legislative action to curb ICE’s unchecked power to uphold the dignity and rights of all Massachusetts residents.

About Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts 

Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts (N2N) is a grassroots organization committed to building power in working-class communities of color to achieve racial, economic, and environmental justice. Through organizing, advocacy, and community engagement, N2N works to create a state where everyone can thrive. Learn more at n2nma.org.

The above press release was submitted to us by Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts (N2N).