A Brazilian illegal immigrant accused of rape had his US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer request honored by a Massachusetts police department in a remarkable incident.
ICE Boston recently apprehended a 21-year-old individual named Willian Robert Vasconcelos-Dos Santos in Falmouth, Massachusetts. This action was taken following charges of rape filed against him by a Massachusetts resident last month.
“Willian Robert Vasconcelos-Dos Santos is charged with horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts resident and represents a significant threat to the residents of our communities,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said. “In this case, we appreciate the Falmouth District Court honoring the ICE immigration detainer and allowing our officers to take custody of Vasconcelos in the safety of a jail cell rather than having to arrest him at large. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England communities.”
On April 10, 2024, Vasconcelos-Dos Santos was apprehended by the US Border Patrol for unlawfully crossing into the United States near San Diego.
After being served with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice judge, the agents released him on his own recognizance.
On January 20, 2025, Vasconcelos-Dos Santos faced yet another arrest. This time, it was the Falmouth Police Department who apprehended him, charging him with rape.
ICE filed an immigration detainer against Vasconcelos-Dos Santos at the Falmouth District Court, and he was subsequently released into the custody of ICE the following day.
He is currently still in the custody of ICE.
In November, Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts made it clear that her state police will not be cooperating with President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. She firmly stated that they will “absolutely not” be involved in such actions. Governor Healey emphasized her commitment to protecting the residents of her state and stated that she will utilize every available tool to ensure their safety.
However, she recently had a change of heart, acknowledging that her state is not considered a sanctuary state. This is despite a ruling in 2017 by the state Supreme Judicial Court that imposed strict limits on law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE.
“I still remain opposed on efforts to target large swaths of an undocumented population who’ve done nothing wrong other than they’re here without lawful presence,” she said.
In recent months, Healey has shifted towards a more centrist stance on immigration enforcement.
After discovering that an illegal migrant had been using the state’s migrant shelter system for illegal activities, Healey expressed her outrage. Taking immediate action, she initiated a comprehensive inspection of the system and sent a letter to Massachusetts legislative leaders, urging them to make necessary amendments to the state’s “right to shelter” laws, specifically excluding illegal immigrants.
In her comment, she expressed her hope that Trump would take the opportunity to address the border issue and fix it.
Despite the Trump administration’s crackdown, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell remains steadfast in her opposition.
She expressed her anger multiple times on social media last month regarding Trump’s immigration decisions. In one of her posts, she emphasized that state and local law enforcement should not be used for federal immigration enforcement. She firmly believes that President Trump does not possess the authority to unilaterally alter the Constitution.
Contributions to this report were made by Peter Pinedo, Stephen Sorace, and Adam Shaw from Fox News Digital.