Immigrant and Customs Enforcement agents were allegedly spotted in Forest Hills recently, and one person was “pulled off the street” in Roslindale Square, according to City Councilor Benjamin Weber, who spoke at the Boston Police Department’s District E-13 community meeting recently.
Weber said while he was unsure about the Forest Hill sighting, the Roslindale incident on the morning of Feb. 5 came from “credible” sources.
Their statements align with other reports of ICE agents in the Boston area in recent weeks..
Last month, state Senator Liz Miranda, whose district includes Jamaica Plain, highlighted on her Instagram page “rumors” of impending ICE raids in Roxbury and Dorchester, with a focus on members of the Cape Verdean community.
She shared a list of “trusted organizations,” key contacts for legal aid and information to help those impacted know their rights.
“To our immigrant neighbors and families. You have rights, no matter your immigration status,’’ the post said, “You are not powerless. You are not alone.”
The Jamaica Plain Gazette reached out to Miranda’s office for comment but did not hear back by press time.
At the District E-13 meeting, Boston Police Lieutenant Warren J. Hoppie told the virtual gathering of 15 residents that the department does not receive information from federal agencies working in Boston and that information is only provided by residents calling the police.
“We want you to call if you see a violation of state law or violation of city ordinance,” Hoppie said. “If you’re in fear of your safety or something else’s safety, please call us.”
Michael Reiskind, a member of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, also said he was informed about the Roslindale incident and that ICE agents left the resident’s car blocking the street with the keys left inside.
Reiskind said that the council has been informed of possible ICE activity in the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in JP.
Police said they have not heard anything about ICE sightings from officers who usually circle the area to look for unhoused people.
Many neighborhoods, including Jamaica Plain, have watchers who train for spotting and alerting community members of ICE sightings through whistles and other means.
Carla-Lisa Caliga, a volunteer “watcher” who said she monitors ICE activity in her community, raised questions at the meeting about how she could otherwise help her community.
Caliga said that the watcher organization saw what appeared to be ICE vehicles in Hyde Park, Roslindale and JP.
“I’m one of the people that potentially can be arrested by ICE, and I was born in Boston, because I am not going to back down from them. I’m not going to attack them, but I am a watcher,” Caliga said, “We are getting whistles.”
Daniela Ginsburg is a student in the Boston University Journalism program. This story is a partnership between The Jamaica Plain Gazette and the Boston University Journalism program.