'Caused Unsettling Doubt': Marlborough Issues Statement On ICE Incident In City Involving Teen

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The City of Marlborough has issued a statement regarding an ICE incident that occurred in the city this week.

Homeland Security Investigation agents were in the city on Tuesday and took individuals into custody, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the city's statement. On Tuesday, a federal judge ordered the release of the teenager, who was brought to New York after being taken in Marlborough, WCVB reported.

In the statement, city leaders added that at no time were any of those individuals transferred into the custody of the Marlborough Police Department, and the agency was not involved in transporting any of the individuals to a facility in Marlborough or any other location.

See Also: Judge Orders Release Of Marlborough 14-Year-Old Detained By ICE: Report

"The Mayor and city leadership want to reaffirm our statement from Jan. 30, 2025, to reassure residents that Marlborough is a community that values dignity, respect, and inclusion for all who live here. The City continues to support a diverse community and is committed to ensuring that every resident feels safe, respected, and welcome," city officials wrote in the statement.

"It is upsetting to witness these incidents that are deeply affecting our community. It is unfortunate that an isolated open investigation has caused unsettling doubt that our Marlborough Police Department would act in a way to harm the community it serves when they were only trying to assist in reuniting a minor with their guardian," city officials continued.

DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, “ICE did NOT arrest a 14-year-old girl—our officers RESCUED her from suspected gang members," in a statement sent to Patch.

The agency leader went on to add that ICE conducted a target operation against two suspected Massachusetts gang members, and the girl, who did not identify them as her legal guardians, was with them.

" Based on this information and to ensure the safety and security of the minor, she was placed in the custody of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement within hours of the initial encounter. As standard protocol, she will remain in ORR custody pending the identification of legal guardians."

Marlborough officials said initial information suggested the girl was a student in Marlborough Public Schools, but later confirmed she was not enrolled in the district.

City officials went on to say that there is no directive from the Mayor's office to assist in enforcing federal immigration law, and that Marlborough police remain dedicated to protecting public safety and maintaining the community's trust.

You can read the full statement from the City of Marlborough here.

Questions can be addressed to the Mayor's office at (508) 460 -3770.

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