Bristol County Sheriff calls ICE raids 'long overdue'

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WJAR) — With fear and anxiety growing in communities nationwide ahead of expected ICE raids this weekend, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told NBC 10 News he believes the immigration enforcement action is "long overdue."

"These are people that are being targeted because not only did they knowingly violate the law and enter this country illegally, then after doing that, were given due process before the courts, like anyone else in America," Hodgson said. "And, now they don't like the decision of the judge that told them 'you must leave the United States and be removed.' Now, they're saying, 'I'm going to thumb my nose at that too.'

In Providence, a "Lights for Liberty" vigil was held to protest detention centers and support those seeking asylum to the United States.

"It never hurts to make sure that the people who are impacted know their rights, regardless of what this administration says," said Rodrigo Pimentel, a DACA recipient and community activist.

Similar demonstrations were held nationwide Friday ahead of massive immigration raids expected this weekend.

None are reportedly taking place in New England, but Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza spoke out about the potential at a news conference Friday.

"I want to make it clear that our local law enforcement will not be aiding or assisting in any way in their hate-filled efforts to spread fear in our community," Elorza said.

Hodgson says he disagrees.

"Now we have elected officials who are saying they're going to protect them, undermine a judges ruling and law enforcement and expose us to even greater dangers when we try and round these people up," he told NBC 10 Friday.

Hodgson says he welcomes ICE to bring detainees to his detention facility in Dartmouth. About 220 detainees are currently housed there.

"We're a country of laws, a county of laws, and we expect people to abide by the laws, and when you don't, we expect people to understand that there's going to be consequences for it," Hodgson said.

In Rhode Island, the Council of Churches plans to hold prayer vigils at local churches this weekend where undocumented immigrants can find sanctuary if a raid does happen

"We feel our calling is to that morality, not whatever morality comes out of Washington," said Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson with the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.