The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been front and center over recent weeks as the Department of Homeland Security continues its operations in Minneapolis. The high-profile killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti have led to protests in Boston in recent days.
Demands by protestors for greater immigrant protections and state policies of noncooperation with ICE may have ripple effects across the state. Gov. Maura Healey on Jan. 29 filed legislation to keep ICE agents out of courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches.
Additionally, Healey signed an executive order prohibiting ICE agents from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities and prohibiting the use of state property for immigration enforcement activities.
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, in recent remarks, vowed that “the Senate will do everything in its power” to return Healey’s proposals back to her for signature as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, communities around Hopkinton and across New England already have felt the impact of immigration enforcement actions. Last June, a high school student from Milford was arrested by ICE, with officials claiming they were attempting to find the boy’s father. Demonstrators have been protesting an ICE detention facility located in Framingham.
According to a report from Politico, ICE began drawing down its presence in Maine as of late January.
Whether Hopkinton will see any effects of the federal crackdown on immigration is unclear. According to information from the United States Census Bureau, 18.8% of the town’s population between 2020 and 2024 was designated as “foreign-born persons.”
The Independent recently reached out to local leaders to get their perspectives on what has been happening nationally with immigration enforcement.
Hopkinton Republican Town Committee Chair Jim Mirabile offered brief remarks.
“The HRTC is truly saddened by the events over the last few weeks around the country,” he stated in an email. He added that, in his opinion, “firing up the base” had gone too far.
“We hope and pray that our politicians work together to resolve political policy differences,” he added, declining to elaborate further.
Amy Groves, Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee chair, echoed Mirabile’s sentiments but was more pointed about the recent events.
“We are shocked and saddened by the deaths of those shot and killed by ICE,” she stated. Groves went on to condemn “the administration’s lies about these individuals,” arguing that claims made by DHS officials about the victims were not supported by the evidence.
“These unjustified acts of violence and intimidation are hallmarks of neither a free country nor a healthy democracy,” she added.
Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch shared similar perspectives on the killings. “It is scary to see cases in the news where people’s rights to due process are being violated or when people are exercising their rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, yet are being harmed or even killed for it,” she stated in an email.
Ritterbusch stated she believed Hopkinton is following guidance from state Attorney General Andrea Campbell on ICE’s enforcement actions. The guidance offers practical information on the rights of immigrants and citizens, and provides the basic legal framework for ICE actions.
Groves noted that the HDTC plans to continue working in the community to “stand up for our constitutional rights.” She noted that details about a No Kings protest planned for March 28 are forthcoming.
Select Board chair Joe Clark was candid about the impact of ICE’s actions on the national stage. “This is a very dividing thing in our country,” he said.
To combat the division locally, Clark encouraged residents to instead focus on the community’s immediate needs and ongoing work, such as the fiscal year 2027 budget, the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and solving the town’s water issues.
“We need to keep focus on what Hopkinton needs and staying together as a community,” said Clark. “Let’s stay focused on Hopkinton and do that together.”
Ritterbusch stated that the Select Board may discuss ICE enforcement in the near future.
“[At the Feb. 3 meeting] I requested a future agenda item for the Select Board to discuss this issue and what the town’s role is,” she explained.
I hope people from all parties (and growing number of independents!) don’t dwell in shock or sadness, but get motivated to take action. We need to demand action from our elected leaders to protect all of our constitutional rights and remove those that would seek to eliminate them. That means writing, calling, and protesting. And if those leaders fail to respond, it’s time to oust them from office. We have too many people that have been holding the levers of power for too long and are now complacent.
I also find it extremely frustrating that at the national level we have spent many billions closing borders and violently deporting anyone, including children, but don’t seem to be investing a dime in an efficient immigration application, vetting, and approval/denial process. For all those advocates of legal immigration, I wonder how many of you are aware of the soul killing bureaucracy involved in the process? It can take several years just to get an application reviewed. And it can cost thousands of dollars. Imagine your worst RMV experience lasting years and being potentially life or death. Oh wait, if you have healthcare here, you can.
There are legitimate solutions to these problems, but we don’t seem to have many elected officials interesting in actually solving them. We can do and be so much better. It’s time for us all to enact change and get back to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I couldn’t agree more. We’ve learned a lot about immigration from our daughter who worked in an immigration law office. The stories I heard were heart breaking. Many were LGBTQ and running for their lives literally. It can take a decade and tens of thousands of dollars . It is a very difficult process. We need to make it a more affordable and smoother process.
If you have well water, is it ok to worry about citizens getting shot in their heads on the streets or is it “dividing”? Asking for a friend.
“We are shocked and saddened by the deaths of those shot and killed by ICE,” Were you shocked and saddened by the illegal who was just arrested in Georgia for raping a seven year old first grader? How about 12 year old Jocelyn Nungaray of Texas, raped and murdered by two illegals? The silence is deafening. Where are the voices that should be shouting her name, demanding justice for her family, and acknowledging the suffering she endured? It’s a painful truth that some lives seem to matter more than others, and it’s a reality that we cannot afford to ignore.
Laken Riley Rachel Morin, Jocelyn Nungaray, Kayla Hamilton, Ruby Garcia, Fletcher Harris, Skylar Provenza, Iryna Zarutska.
If you did not speak up for any of these innocent angels, then kindly STFU!!
Brad is right in comparing actions of a law enforcement agency with criminals
ICE could in fact be focusing on locating and deporting violent criminals. Instead, immigration agents are rounding up children and people who have broken no laws, including U.S. citizens and legal immigrants. These agents are breaking into cars and homes without judicial warrants. They are roaming our streets in full face masks and combat attire while refusing to provide identification. Entire communities are now afraid to leave their homes, not because of their immigration status but because of the color of their skin.
Immigration agents have shot at least 30 people since January 20, 2025, resulting in 8 reported deaths. Thirty-eight people have died in detainment during that same time period. While deaths are not new to US immigration efforts, 2025-2026 has been the bloodiest period in two decades.
Of course we feel bad for anyone who is the victim of a violent crime, regardless of who commits the crime. However, the best way to deter crime is surely not to commit more crimes.
Ted Bundy cis male US CITIZEN.
Ted Bundy confessed to 30 homicides committed in seven states between 1974 and 1978, though the true total is suspected to be higher. His known victims were primarily young women and girls, often abducted from college campuses or public places, including Melissa Anne Smith, Laura Aime, and several victims from Chi Omega sorority.
Confirmed Victims (Confessed and Convicted)
Karen Sparks (18) – Jan. 4, 1974 (Survived)
Linda Ann Healy (21) – Feb. 1, 1974
Donna Gail Manson (19) – March 12, 1974
Susan Elaine Rancourt (18) – April 17, 1974
Roberta Kathleen Parks (22) – May 6, 1974
Brenda Carol Ball (22) – June 1, 1974
Georgann Hawkins (18) – June 11, 1974
Janice Anne Ott (23) – July 14, 1974
Denise Marie Naslund (19) – July 14, 1974
Melissa Anne Smith (17) – Oct. 18, 1974
Laura Aime (17) – Oct. 31, 1974
Debra Jean Kent (17) – Nov. 8, 1974
Caryn Eileen Campbell (23) – Jan. 12, 1975
Julie Marlene Cunningham (26) – March 15, 1975
Denise Lynn Oliverson (25) – April 6, 1975
Lynette Dawn Culver (12) – May 6, 1975
Susan Curtis (15) – June 28, 1975
Kathy Ann Devine (14) – Nov. 25, 1975
Karen Mandic (22) – Jan. 12, 1976
Diane Alden (22) – Jan. 12, 1976
Margaret Elizabeth Bowman (21) – Jan. 15, 1978
Lisa K. Levy (20) – Jan. 15, 1978
Karen Chandler (21) – Jan. 15, 1978 (Survived)
Kathy Kleiner (20) – Jan. 15, 1978 (Survived)
Cheryl Ann Thomas (21) – Jan. 15, 1978 (Survived)
Kimberly Diane Leach (12) – Feb. 9, 1978
Unconfirmed/Suspected Victims
Bundy alluded to murdering up to 100+ people, and many unsolved cases from the 1970s in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Florida are suspected to be his work.
Meanwhile, the Selectmen nearly come to blows over their issues.