The ACLU of Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit demanding information about a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presentation to members of the National Sheriffs’ Association. The presentation was an “immigration update” from ICE’s Acting Deputy Director Matthew Albence.
After being made aware of the presentation from a Bristol County Sheriff’s Office tweet, the ACLU filed a public records request seeking records of the address, including written remarks, slides, handouts, and recordings. The request also includes correspondence between ICE and Massachusetts sheriffs about the address.
Pursuing these documents is an important component of the ACLU’s ongoing work to protect and defend immigrants, and to understand the relationship between ICE and local law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts.
The lawsuit comes days after President Trump announced that Kirstjen Nielsen resigned as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and after he withdrew his own nominee to lead ICE—Acting Director Ronald Vitiello—because he wants someone “tougher” to lead the country’s immigration enforcement agency. Albence, who delivered the February address, is second-in-command of the agency.
Media:
- MuckRock: ACLU Massachusetts sues ICE for missing public records deadline
- Boston Globe: ACLU of Mass. sues ICE for records of official’s February presentation
- South Coast Today: Tweet by Bristol County Sheriff’s Office triggers ACLU lawsuit
- Law360:ACLU sues ICE for records from speech to sheriffs’ group (paywall)
- WBSM: ACLU files suit after tweet from Bristol County Sheriff’s Office
