Overview

Essex County sits at the center of Region 3 in the Massachusetts Trial Courts system — the region with the highest number of ICE courthouse arrests in the state. Region 3 covers 17 district courts including municipalities with large Latino populations: Lawrence, Lynn, Waltham, and Lowell.

Courthouse Arrest Data

• Region 3: 227+ detentions in 2025 — more than one-third of statewide total
• Chelsea District Court (Suffolk County but adjacent to Essex): 57 arrests in 2025, tripled from 19 in 2024
• December 2025: 28+ arrests in Region 3 alone
• September 2025: 25 arrests in Region 3

Source: GBH — Over 600 ICE courthouse arrests

Documented ICE Misconduct

An Amherst town council resolution (February 2026) cited an Essex County incident where ICE agents allegedly “illegally kidnapped and assaulted a lawful permanent resident, stole his belongings, and threatened his legal status.”

Source: Common Dreams — Amherst resolution

Community Monitoring

LUCE (Lawyers for Civil Rights Under Law) has deployed court monitors to observe ICE activity in Massachusetts courthouses, particularly in Essex County-area courts. Immigration advocates report that courthouse enforcement has deterred people from appearing as witnesses or victims in criminal cases.

Source: WBUR — ICE monitors

Why It Matters

Essex County’s court arrest concentration reflects ICE’s targeting of Latino immigrant communities — Lawrence (78% Latino), Lynn (32% Latino), and Chelsea (67% Latino) are among the most heavily affected municipalities. The courthouse strategy specifically undermines the justice system by deterring court participation, creating a public safety feedback loop where crimes go unreported and unprosecuted.