Hundreds gathered in Lynn, Massachusetts, on Saturday to demand the city government and court system take stronger action to protect immigrants in the community.More than 300 people rallied at the Lynn Common for a display of solidarity.The group said they’re protesting against what they call violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in Massachusetts courts and police stations.A woman who spoke with NewsCenter 5 said that her son, Manuel, was arrested at the ICE facility in Burlington while he was there for an immigration appointment.She said he was taken into an ICE detention center in New York and has not been heard from since.Rally organizers said more than 600 were arrested inside Massachusetts courthouses by immigration authorities in 2025.Nelson Presner said his brother, Emmanuel, was arrested by police on a domestic violence charge.He said by the time he got to the police station, ICE officials had already been notified.”Unfortunately, he never came out,” Presner said.Presner said his brother died from an infection while in federal custody.Lynn police looked on as the crowd marched around Lynn Common.”In Lynn, we are a diverse community of hardworking people who have been severely impacted by immigration policies,” said Nueva Primavera, one of the rally’s organizers. “Family separation is causing emotional chaos in the lives of children, youth, and seniors. Our immigrant community has contributed to the economy and growth of this city in every functional aspect of its development and progress. We deserve to live with dignity, without fear, and in freedom”In Massachusetts, there is currently no blanket law prohibiting ICE agents from making arrests in and around courthouses and police stations.
LYNN, Mass. —
Hundreds gathered in Lynn, Massachusetts, on Saturday to demand the city government and court system take stronger action to protect immigrants in the community.
More than 300 people rallied at the Lynn Common for a display of solidarity.
The group said they’re protesting against what they call violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in Massachusetts courts and police stations.
A woman who spoke with NewsCenter 5 said that her son, Manuel, was arrested at the ICE facility in Burlington while he was there for an immigration appointment.
She said he was taken into an ICE detention center in New York and has not been heard from since.
Rally organizers said more than 600 were arrested inside Massachusetts courthouses by immigration authorities in 2025.
Nelson Presner said his brother, Emmanuel, was arrested by police on a domestic violence charge.
He said by the time he got to the police station, ICE officials had already been notified.
“Unfortunately, he never came out,” Presner said.
Presner said his brother died from an infection while in federal custody.
Lynn police looked on as the crowd marched around Lynn Common.
“In Lynn, we are a diverse community of hardworking people who have been severely impacted by immigration policies,” said Nueva Primavera, one of the rally’s organizers. “Family separation is causing emotional chaos in the lives of children, youth, and seniors. Our immigrant community has contributed to the economy and growth of this city in every functional aspect of its development and progress. We deserve to live with dignity, without fear, and in freedom”
In Massachusetts, there is currently no blanket law prohibiting ICE agents from making arrests in and around courthouses and police stations.