The recent arrests of illegal immigrants on the upscale islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have drawn national attention. Over the past month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained at least six individuals as part of a broader effort to capture those accused of severe crimes in these high-profile Massachusetts beach towns, often frequented by the Biden and Obama families, as reported by Fox News.

Toby Brown, chair of the Nantucket GOP, voiced concerns that many residents share regarding the violent criminal activity involving illegal immigrants.

“I think many people are concerned about the violent illegal population. … The biggest thing is obviously not knowing anybody’s history if they’re here illegally. The legal immigrants will even discuss that,” Brown explained to Fox News Digital. While he acknowledged that most immigrants, including those here illegally, are positive contributors to the community, there is growing fear that some may have dangerous histories.

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Brown also pointed out that the ultra-wealthy summer visitors are largely shielded from these problems. “I think the ultrawealthy summer people probably don’t see the same thing as somebody who’s living here locally,” he said, criticizing the media’s portrayal of the islands as carefree paradises. According to Brown, this image is far from the truth as crime and poverty continue to rise on the island.

On August 23, ICE arrested Warley Neto, a 24-year-old Brazilian national, on Martha’s Vineyard. Neto, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, faces five counts of raping a minor in Massachusetts. ICE’s Boston Field Office Director, Todd M. Lyons, described Neto as a “significant threat to the safety of our neighborhoods.”

Lyons also criticized local jurisdictions that often fail to honor ICE detainers, which leads to the release of dangerous individuals back into communities. Neto was released early from prison, only to allegedly commit more crimes against a child.

The arrests continued on September 10, when two Salvadoran nationals were taken into custody on Nantucket. Bryan Daniel Aldana-Arevalo, 28, faces charges of rape and indecent assault involving a minor. Another Salvadoran national, Elmer Sola, was arrested the same day and is charged with 11 counts of sex crimes against a child. Lyons called these crimes “detestable and disturbing” and affirmed ICE’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.

On September 11, Gean Do Amaral Belafronte, a Brazilian national who previously entered the U.S. legally, was arrested for indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older. Belafronte violated his terms of admission and returned to the U.S. illegally after leaving in 2021. Lyons reiterated ICE’s promise to prioritize public safety by apprehending dangerous noncitizens.

These arrests are part of a pattern in the region, similar to ICE operations in 2012 and 2017. Massachusetts, which is home to several sanctuary cities, has faced challenges in enforcing immigration laws, as local authorities often refuse to cooperate with federal detainer requests. A report from the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that the state hosts around 355,000 illegal immigrants, with tens of thousands arriving since 2021.

In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took action by sending two planes filled with illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, part of a broader initiative to relocate migrants to sanctuary destinations. DeSantis’ office emphasized that states like Massachusetts, which have designated themselves as sanctuary states, should bear the responsibility for caring for the individuals they’ve invited into the country through open-border policies.