Anxiety is gripping some Chinatown Residents and community leaders after hearing of unconfirmed reports of immigration agents in the neighborhood.

“We want to find a balance between keeping people safe without spreading too much fear,” said Karen Chen, who directs the Chinese Progressive Agency.

That agency held an emergency meeting for residents on May 27 to discuss reports by two individuals who said they had witnessed what they believed to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the neighborhood. No video or photographic evidence was offered to support either incident. But reports of agents in various areas around Greater Boston have been widespread, including several high profile cases of ICE abductions and detentions, including that of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk and most recently of a high school student in Milford who was reportedly on the way to volleyball practice.
During the meeting Chen stated that a couple weeks prior, a young man who was riding on his bike on a Chinatown street spotted what appeared to be two agents wearing a bulletproof vests with guns in holsters, interrogating an elderly Chinese woman who seemed to have been confused by the encounter. The young man reported this sighting to his family and through word of mouth, CPA was made aware of the incident, said Chen.

Then, more recently, a man reported to friends and family that at approximately 8 a.m. on a Saturday, he heard a knock on his door and when he opened it, he was met with around five agents, all wearing bulletproof vests and with guns in their holsters on their hips. They asked this man for his name and asked him to step aside while they entered the door and walked up and down each floor of the multi-story building. The man reported the agents entered several other buildings around Pine Street, which houses many Asian American residents. The man did not report any arrests and said the men simply just left in their sedans after entering the apartment buildings.

The meeting’s organizers stressed that people should be informed of their rights when approached by immigration officials or witnessing encounters with agents. According to legal experts, people have the right to not open their door if officials lack a warrant signed by a actual judge, the right to remain silent and to avoid signing any document without first consulting a lawyer. More information can be found at lucemass.org/resources or at mass.gov/doc/ago-ice-guidance-05292025/download .
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, who joined the meeting, urged residents to inform the Mayor’s office of any such sightings.

“I represent Chinatown, South End and the Bay Village,” said Flynn. “I’m here to support the community and to support our residents. I know the incredible role immigrants play here in our city and I’ve always respected the Chinese community and am here to support you in anyway I possibly can.”