Mass. leaders opposed to report of possible illegal immigrant roundups

BOSTON — A lack of White House confirmation regarding an AP report is not stopping the fear running through immigrants in communities in Boston.

The AP reported Friday morning the Trump administration considered a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press.

"We have already seen a huge increase in the fear in these communities," Sarang Sekhavat, the federal policy director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

Immigration advocates said the report is driving many legal and illegal immigrants into hiding.

"We already see people; they stop going to work. They stop taking their kids to school. They stop going to their doctor's appointments. Grocery shopping. We're going to see a sharp increase in that kind of thing," said Sekhavat.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer criticized the AP report,  saying it's "100 percent not true."

The news agency stands by their information, saying it obtained a draft memo calling for a militarization of immigration enforcement on border states like Arizona and as far east as Louisiana.

Massachusetts was not included on the list, but Sekhavat said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are more visible in neighborhoods than ever before.

When it comes to Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker, who has been critical of Trump, said he was opposed to this approach.

"(We) should instead be focused on detaining criminals, gang members or suspected terrorists wanted by federal authorities and who pose a significant threat to public safety or national security," he said in a statement.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh echoed Baker's statements, but also said he was tired of the rumor mill.

"I'd ask people to be calm here in Boston, clearly. As I said earlier, we're a safe space. And all we hear is rumors and until you hear the truth, don't believe the rumors," he said.

Sekhavat is telling immigrants in local communities to know their rights.

Trump did not comment on the report Friday.

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