in World News Judge Targets ICE Agent—Federal Prosecutor Fires Back With Sharp Warning
A federal immigration enforcement operation in a Boston courtroom has triggered a legal confrontation between the U.S. Department of Justice and local officials in Suffolk County.
The incident involves an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who was held in contempt of court after executing a valid federal arrest warrant during a trial.
Now, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley is intervening, warning local authorities that attempts to criminally charge a federal officer performing official duties violate constitutional law.
The controversy began when ICE officer Brian Sullivan arrested an illegal immigrant with active drug trafficking charges during a court proceeding in Boston.
Officer Sullivan had a valid federal warrant. Despite this, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden raised the possibility of bringing charges against the ICE officer.
Judge Mark Summerville, who was presiding over the trial, held Sullivan in contempt of court for making the arrest during the proceeding.
ICE agent Brian Sullivan detained Wilson Martell-Lebron last week as he was leaving court. But a Boston Municipal Court judge issued a ruling Monday against Sullivan, arguing that he had deprived Martell-Lebron of his rights. https://t.co/cAA4h61z7i pic.twitter.com/J9wniDSdfC
— KGET 17 News (@KGETnews) April 2, 2025
In response, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley issued formal letters to both District Attorney Hayden and Judge Summerville, stating that federal officers are protected under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause when performing their lawful duties.
In her letter to DA Hayden, Foley wrote:
“The fact that you disfavor ICE officers doing their jobs is not a basis for criminal charges. In fact, there is no legal basis for such charges. You may very well disagree with the enforcement of our federal immigration laws, but it is inappropriate to suggest to the public that federal officers can be criminally prosecuted by your office for performing their official duties. Any attempt or threat to interfere with the lawful actions of federal government agents will not be tolerated. It is a felony offense to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with an immigration officer’s efforts to duly execute the immigration laws of the United States.”