The arrest of an illegal immigrant in Massachusetts has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stricter immigration enforcement and accountability in state-run shelters. Governor Maura Healey announced a review of shelter policies and inspections after Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, a 28-year-old Dominican national, was found in possession of 10 pounds of fentanyl, a loaded AR-15 rifle, and three high-capacity magazines in a Revere hotel-turned-shelter.
Revere Police Chief David Callahan emphasized the danger posed by Sanchez, stating, “This individual endangered occupants of the hotel, on-site workers, public safety personnel, and the community at large.” Callahan also stressed the department’s commitment to combating illegal drug trafficking and firearms possession: “His arrest underscores our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our community.”
Sanchez, who immigrated illegally, was seeking shelter at the facility when he was apprehended. He now faces 10 firearm charges and fentanyl trafficking charges and is being held in state custody. ICE has filed an immigration detainer, but Massachusetts courts have a history of disregarding such detainers due to the 2017 Lunn ruling, which prevents state officers from holding individuals solely on federal immigration grounds.
Republicans in the state legislature condemned the incident, questioning how Sanchez was able to access state-funded emergency shelter and acquire illegal firearms. In a letter to Governor Healey, House Republican Caucus members demanded answers:
- “How is it possible an undocumented immigrant here illegally is receiving a benefit of emergency family shelter, even though our laws do not allow it?”
- “How is it despite the strict gun laws of the Commonwealth this individual was allegedly able to acquire a high-capacity firearm?”
This case has reignited debate over Massachusetts’ handling of immigration detainers and its lax policies on illegal immigration. A Republican-backed bill aimed at addressing the Lunn ruling failed to gain traction in 2024.
Governor Healey deflected criticism to federal inaction, stating, “This further underscores our broken federal immigration system and the urgent need for Congress and the White House to act on a border security bill to prevent criminals from entering our communities.”
The situation mirrors similar crises across the country, including in New York City, where migrant shelters have faced significant safety and accountability issues. Conservative critics argue that these incidents demonstrate the consequences of failed immigration policies and lenient state laws that prioritize political agendas over public safety.
