Mayor Michelle Wu orders preparations for ICE surge in Boston

Todd Prussman, Boston Herald on Feb 5, 2026

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BOSTON — Citing “chaos” on the streets of cities like Minneapolis and Lewiston, Maine, and referencing the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Mayor Michelle Wu announced a series of executive actions designed to hold federal officials accountable in Boston.

Wu said in an executive order Thursday that city departments shall “work with the Boston Police Department to publicly release video footage of violence or property damage by federal officials captured by Boston Police Department body-worn cameras or other City-controlled surveillance cameras.”

The hope, the mayor’s executive order says, is to deescalate any potential confrontations.

Wu’s order comes as speculation continues to swirl around the city that a surge of federal immigration officers is imminent. Last month, the Herald photographed the delivery of scores of new SUVs to an ICE operations center in Burlington.

Wu cited violent clashes between protesters and ICE officers in Minneapolis, noting the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in her order.

“In these deployments, federal agents have fomented chaos, violated residents’ constitutional rights, and perpetrated egregious acts of violence, including the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti,” Wu’s order states.

The mayor is also seeking to restrict federal officials from using city property without a court order or warrant, declaring that Boston property, parks or even parking lots cannot “be used as an unpermitted staging area, processing location, operations base, or any similar purpose in furtherance of civil immigration enforcement operations.”

The mayor’s order was issued during a press conference Thursday at City Hall.

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