The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has criticized Massachusetts’ sanctuary policies following the arrest of an undocumented immigrant involved in a violent incident. This comes after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took the individual into custody for allegedly assaulting someone with a baseball bat. The arrest occurred just days after local officials reportedly released the suspect without informing federal authorities.
Dhaval Amratbhai Patel, an undocumented immigrant from India, was taken into custody by the Worcester Police Department on May 16. He faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
According to the police report, Patel got into a dispute with a customer at the liquor store where he was employed. The altercation intensified, leading to Patel seizing a baseball bat and hitting the individual, as detailed by DHS.
Dhaval Amratbhai Patel, originally from India, now faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. (DHS)
MIGRANT ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY ICE FOLLOWING MASSACHUSETTS COURT’S FAILURE TO HONOR DETAINER
Authorities have expressed concerns that Massachusetts’ sanctuary policies hindered cooperation with ICE, resulting in Patel’s release from jail without any notification to immigration officials.
ICE arrested Patel two days later on May 18, according to DHS.
FILE – Police cars outside of the Worcester Police Headquarters in Worcester, MA. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“This illegal alien from India thought he could go around beating people with a baseball bat. Sanctuary politicians released him from jail after his arrest for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon,” said DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis. “Sanctuary politicians must stop choosing to release criminals into our communities and work with DHS to get criminals out of country.”
“By refusing to cooperate with ICE law enforcement, sanctuary politicians are putting the safety of their citizens at risk,” Bis added.
FILE — The exterior of the Worcester Police Headquarters in Worcester, MA. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
It is unclear where and when Patel illegally entered the U.S.
The Worcester Police Department and Worcester County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
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