A Boston district attorney sharply criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) after one of its agents detained Wilson Martell-Lebron, 49, while he was attending his trial last week. ICE agent Brian Sullivan apprehended Martell-Lebron after the trial proceedings, a move that Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden called “reckless” and a violation of Martell-Lebron’s constitutional rights. A Boston Municipal Court judge agreed, ruling that ICE’s actions deprived the defendant of a fair trial.
Hayden also voiced concerns that ICE’s presence is eroding public safety, as witnesses and victims fear cooperation with law enforcement due to potential immigration consequences. This, he argued, undermines the criminal justice system’s ability to hold offenders accountable.
The case has raised significant legal tension between state and federal authorities. The Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss the contempt charge against Sullivan, asserting that federal law supersedes state court authority in matters of immigration enforcement.
The incident, which occurred during the early stages of Martell-Lebron’s trial, has led to further scrutiny of ICE’s courthouse arrest. While ICE maintains its actions were lawful, the case has sparked debate over the balance between federal immigration enforcement and state-level legal proceedings.
References:
Case, Michael. “District attorney lashes out at ICE for detaining suspect during his own trial” The Associated Press. April 3, 2025.
