However, a 2017 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision (Lunn v. Commonwealth) ruled that state, and local agencies are not obligated to honor an ICE detainer, arguing that holding individuals beyond their official release date without a warrant violates their rights.
The Sheriff clarified that his concern is not with all immigrants, stating, “I’m not vilifying everyone; I’m not saying that all the people come here are criminals, not by any stretch.”
He acknowledged the complex nature of immigration but emphasized his concerns about specific cases where individuals who have committed crimes are allowed to stay due to the state’s policies on ICE holds.
“There is an element, and that’s what I’m concerned about, which now has a state where the detainers are not allowed to be honored,” he added.
The Lunn decision aimed to prevent undue detainment of individuals based solely on immigration status, a move celebrated by then-Attorney General Maura Healey. However, Sheriff Evangelidis argues that circumstances have shifted significantly over time.
