U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the Boston division of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended a 25-year-old Haitian national with an extensive criminal record on January 22.
Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, described as a member of a violent Haitian street gang, was arrested in Boston following convictions for 17 crimes, including drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and assault.
“Mr. Charles is illegally present in the United States and has consistently broken our laws, causing significant harm to the residents of Massachusetts,” said Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “ERO Boston will not tolerate the repeated victimization of our New England neighborhoods. We will continue our mission to apprehend such illegal alien offenders and remove them from our communities.”
Charles entered the U.S. legally in July 2013 but later violated the terms of his lawful admission. Between August 2022 and August 2024, he faced multiple charges, including possession and distribution of controlled substances, trespassing, carrying brass knuckles, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest.
Despite an immigration detainer issued by ICE ERO in April 2023, the Norfolk House of Correction released Charles in October 2023 without honoring the detainer. ICE officers subsequently apprehended him this January, issuing a Notice to Appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. Charles remains in ICE custody.
The arrest is part of a wider effort by ICE to target illegal immigrants with criminal records. Acting on orders from the Trump administration, federal agents have intensified operations across multiple cities, including Boston, Denver, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
In Boston alone, eight significant arrests were made, including members of the MS-13 gang and individuals with murder and rape charges. These efforts are part of a renewed push to deport an estimated 700,000 undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, regardless of sanctuary city policies.
Stricter border policies
The administration has also announced plans to strengthen border security. Border Patrol officers have been directed to halt the release of migrants into the U.S., and additional troops are being deployed to fortify the southern border.
Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard launched immediate actions to strengthen maritime border security in response to executive orders issued by the White House on January 21. Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday announced a surge in Coast Guard assets across key maritime regions, including the Florida Straits and Caribbean waters, to deter illegal activities and curb maritime migration from Haiti and Cuba.
Officials have emphasized that these measures aim to safeguard public safety and uphold immigration laws.
This crackdown underscores ICE’s role in identifying and removing individuals deemed a threat to U.S. communities, reinforcing its commitment to enforcing immigration regulations and protecting public safety.
