2 Detained During ICE Enforcement Actions In Newton

Local leadership is speaking after the presence of the controversial federal agency.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Sep 10, 2026 12:40 PM EDT

NEWTON, MA — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two people during enforcement actions outside Newton District Court and Newton City Hall on Thursday, according to Mayor Marc Laredo.

ICE agents detained and took one individual into custody outside Newton District Court before following a vehicle driven by an acquaintance of that person away from the courthouse, according to Laredo. Agents stopped the vehicle in front of Newton City Hall and detained the acquaintance.

The Newton Police Department was alerted to the incident at City Hall after receiving a 911 call from a bystander. Officers responded to the scene and maintained order while the enforcement action was taking place. The second individual was eventually released by ICE agents before all parties dispersed.

"The efforts of our team were textbook across the board, and it is exactly the balance of professionalism and empathy that I know our community expects and appreciates," Laredo said.

Additional information about the identities of the two people, why ICE initially detained them, and whether the first individual remains in federal custody has not yet been released.

The incident comes approximately seven months after Laredo signed an executive order reaffirming Newton's status as a Welcoming City and establishing guidelines surrounding federal immigration enforcement in the city. The order contains five sections, including prohibiting ICE and similar federal agencies from using city locations or property to conduct operations and restricting federal agents from entering certain city spaces without a warrant or court order.

Newton already has a Welcoming City ordinance that limits the circumstances in which Newton police can assist ICE with arrests. The ordinance generally prevents local police from assisting federal immigration agents in making arrests unless certain circumstances apply, including an investigation involving terrorism, a major felony conviction, or an outstanding warrant.

"I would like to express my strong support for our immigrant community," Laredo said Thursday. "If you are an immigrant living, working, raising a family, running a business in Newton, or simply visiting our city, please know that we value you."