New Bedford Police ‘Prepared’ Should ICE Surge Occur Here

The thought of Immigration and Customs Enforcement stepping up its game in Massachusetts has some in the Bay State on edge. It was reported last week that a shipment of ICE SUVs arrived recently at the agency's Burlington headquarters, leading some to fear an ICE surge might be in the works.

READ MORE: Is Massachusetts Bracing for an ICE Crackdown?

ICE agents conducted two massive sweeps in Massachusetts in May and September of 2025, netting around 3,000 "illegal aliens," roughly half of whom ICE said had "significant criminal convictions or pending criminal charges for crimes committed in the United States or were known foreign fugitives."

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Police Say Communication With ICE Has Faded

New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody said, "We haven't heard anything" when asked about a possible surge, but added, "We are prepared for any foreseeable situations."

"I am told NBPD used to get emails, or they (ICE) would call Communications to give us a heads up" about pending operations in the city, Thody said.

"That has not happened for quite a while," he said. Thody has been on the job since July of 2025.

READ MORE: New Bedford Police Adopt "Broken Windows" Approach Using App

Thody said he has called ICE in Boston twice "to see if we can increase communication for everyone's well-being." He said his messages have gone unreturned. The chief said the department finds out about ICE activity in the city "on social media or someone calls in and reports it."

"We have not seen very much activity here," Thody said.

How New Bedford Police Handle ICE Encounters

Thody pointed out that the NBPD has an FAQ, or Frequently Asked Questions, page on the department's website, providing answers to questions citizens might have about how New Bedford Police interact with ICE when immigration enforcement officers are in the city.

The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association issued a "legal advisory" offering "clear, practical guidance to Massachusetts police chiefs regarding their role in federal immigration enforcement."

In September, Chief Thody issued a memo to "all sworn personnel" offering guidance on the police response to ICE operations.