‘Boston will never back down:’ Wu fires back at likely ICE enforcement blitz

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office has fired back at a reported immigration enforcement surge in Boston that could begin as soon as September.

“Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law—city, state and federal. We are the safest major city in the country because all of our community members know that they are part of how we keep the entire community safe,” Wu said in a statement to MassLive. “Boston will never back down from being a beacon of freedom and a home for everyone. Stop attacking cities to hide your administration’s failures.”

The clampdown in Boston, already expected, could come soon after a similar action in Chicago next month, or it could happen concurrently, Politico reported Friday, citing a Trump administration official.

The White House has stepped up its rhetorical war against cities led by Democrats in recent weeks. It has also physically manifested it — in the case of the deployment of National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

• Read More: Report: Boston ICE blitz could come as soon as September

“All these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE where we know public safety threats are being released every day into this country, especially those cities, we’re going to address that,” border czar Tom Homan said at the White House this week, according to Politico.

“So we’re going to take the assets we have and move them to problem areas like sanctuary cities where we know for a fact there are public safety threats, illegal aliens on the streets every day,” Homan said.

• Read More: Crime-ridden, pro-Trump states need the National Guard, Calif. Gov. Newsom says

The Republican White House has clashed repeatedly with Wu, a Democrat, over the city’s immigration policies.

The city’s policy, set by a local law known as the Trust Act, allows Boston Police Department officers to work with ICE on criminal investigations, but limits their ability to cooperate on or share information related to civil immigration enforcement. Officials say the policy allows Boston residents to feel more comfortable interacting with police, improving police-community relations.

The Trump administration sees things differently, accusing city leaders of hampering efforts to detain dangerous criminals.

Earlier this month, Wu shot down U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s demand that the city comply with federal immigration policies.

“Here is our response: Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures,” Wu said at a City Hall news conference. “Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law. And Boston will not back down from who we are and what we stand for.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s office did not respond to a request for comment by MassLive.