The serene islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, known for their exclusivity and idyllic coastal charm, have recently made headlines for an entirely different reason. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested several illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes, bringing a sharp focus to the issues of immigration and public safety in these upscale communities. Over the past month, ICE operations have led to at least six arrests as part of a broader effort to apprehend individuals accused of violent crimes, crimes that have sent shockwaves through the picturesque towns frequented by high-profile figures like the Biden and Obama families.
Toby Brown, chair of the Nantucket GOP, weighed in on the matter, expressing the concerns of many residents. “The biggest thing is obviously not knowing anybody's history if they're here illegally,” Brown said, pointing out that even legal immigrants in the community are aware of the potential dangers posed by individuals with violent pasts who may be living under the radar.
Though most immigrants in these communities are active and well-regarded, a string of particularly egregious crimes has left locals shaken. Brown noted that crime and poverty seem to have increased on the small island in recent years, problems that, he argued, the wealthy elite appear largely insulated from. "Once again, they're in big estates. And unfortunately, on Nantucket, the mainstream press, for the most part, would like people to think this place is still kind of just like Disneyland and we have zero issues on the island," Brown added.
One arrest that captured national attention was that of 24-year-old Brazilian immigrant Warley Neto, who illegally entered the U.S. through the Texas-Mexico border in 2018. Neto, arrested in late August on Martha’s Vineyard, faces five counts of raping a Massachusetts minor. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston confirmed the arrest, stating that Neto represented a significant threat to the community’s safety. Disturbingly, Neto had been released early from a prison sentence, only to allegedly reoffend in an even more heinous manner shortly after.
Then, on September 10, ERO arrested 28-year-old Salvadoran illegal immigrant Bryan Daniel Aldana-Arevalo on Nantucket, accused of committing horrific crimes against a child. ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons highlighted the gravity of these cases, stating that such individuals represent a clear danger to local communities, particularly the most vulnerable—the children.
In a separate case on September 11, Brazilian immigrant Gean Do Amaral Belafronte was taken into custody. Belafronte, who had originally been admitted to the U.S. legally but later violated the terms of his stay, is now charged with indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older. Like the others, he had somehow found his way to Nantucket, bringing with him a serious criminal record.
These recent arrests are not isolated incidents. Similar ICE operations occurred in 2012 and 2017, with a handful of arrests each time. However, this latest wave of arrests has stoked fresh debates about immigration enforcement and the policies of so-called "sanctuary cities," a designation Massachusetts has in several areas. Sanctuary cities limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, often releasing offenders despite ICE detainers.
The broader context of these arrests speaks to the ongoing national immigration debate. A June report by the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that Massachusetts is home to approximately 355,000 "illegal and inadmissible" migrants, with 50,000 new arrivals since 2021. Among these migrants are 10,000 minors, many unaccompanied, which has only deepened concerns about crime, social services, and public safety.
In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made headlines when he sent planes carrying illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard as part of a state-led relocation program. His administration framed the move as a response to sanctuary policies, asserting that states like Massachusetts, which have adopted more open immigration stances, should bear the responsibility for their care.