LYNN — An 18-year-old Lynn woman was arrested Monday morning and subsequently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Court and police documents revealed that Zeneyda Barrera, who is originally from Nicaragua, was charged with assault and battery after she got into an argument with her 12-year-old brother over a cell phone, according to the police report.
A call was made from a third-party with concern that a domestic-violence case was occurring on the third floor. Police spoke to the involved parties, including their mother.
The police report states that Barrera had wanted to use her brother’s phone, but he had said no. This prompted an argument, resulting in Barrera pushing her brother. Both siblings confirmed what she had done, leading police to place her in custody. She was apprehended by ICE at Lynn District Court.
While Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said he was unable to share details of Barrera’s detainment by ICE, but he raised concerns about the nature of the enforcement agents’ activities.
“We’ve been told that ICE is going to be targeting violent offenders whose presence in our communities puts the community at risk, and we don’t fully understand yet what triggered ICE’s actions in this particular case,’ Nicholson said Tuesday. “But what I’ve learned so far suggests that’s not what’s happening here, and shows that to truly partner with communities on public safety ICE should take all the circumstances into account.”
Nicholson added that Barrera has been separated from her family, is detained, and is at risk of being deported into “a really impossible situation” with the family and mother left desperately trying to make sense of things.
“We have shared some legal resources with her mother as best we can and alerted our federal representatives who are looking into this case,” Nicholson said.
“Honestly, we’re still trying to figure out what triggered ICE enforcement action in the case, and we’ll be reviewing the entire set of circumstances,” the mayor added. “As always, our Police Department doesn’t ask for anyone’s immigration status, and I know [they] care deeply about keeping the entire community safe.”
Police Chief Christopher Reddy said on Tuesday that, “The Lynn Police Department recognizes the legitimate concerns expressed by community members regarding recent activity by federal immigration enforcement (ICE) officials in the city of Lynn. We value all members of this community including the many hard working immigrant members who contribute to our shared success.”
“We are committed to providing accurate information and working to ensure that all members of this community are safe and supported,” Reddy added. “The Lynn Police Department, like all Massachusetts state and local police agencies, does not and is not authorized to enforce federal immigration law. We have been advised that ICE enforcement initiatives are currently focused on individuals who have committed serious crimes.”
“It is imperative for victims and witnesses to feel confident that they can seek assistance from their presence in the United States,” Reddy went on to say. “We remain committed to protecting and supporting all members of this community regardless of immigration status.”
Nicholson also emphasized the importance of the city standing behind its residents during this time of uncertainty. “We do have control over our actions and our values, and we embrace a welcoming environment here in the city as well as public safety, and see both those goals as usually reinforcing,” he said. “So we remain committed to those values”
Calls to ICE’s Boston Field Office were not answered Tuesday.
