WESTFORD — Over 100 residents gathered in Westford’s town center on Saturday, to advocate for due process and immigration reform, amid growing concerns about federal immigration enforcement actions.
Word of the gathering spread on social media, drawing community members concerned about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, including an incident on Wednesday in Minnesota that resulted in the death of Renee Good.
Participants of the demonstration called for changes to federal immigration enforcement policies and practices.
Despite the charged nature of the issue, the atmosphere remained largely respectful throughout. Some with differing viewpoints shared their opinion on the subject as they drove past the gathering.
The demonstration, which was unsponsored and unaffiliated with any political groups, proceeded without incident.
Organizers of ongoing Saturday rallies held in the town center stated that their intent is to hold peaceful protests that remain open to anyone with concerns about the actions of the federal government.
The demonstration is part of a broader conversation taking place in communities across Massachusetts regarding immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and public safety.
On Friday, two days after Good’s death, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, who represents Westford, released a statement on social media calling for the removal of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“Kristi Noem should be removed from office,” Trahan’s statement said. “Her incompetence makes our communities less safe.”
Saturday’s demonstration was also not the first time that members of the Westford community were involved in protests against ICE since President Donald Trump took office.
In November, the Westford League of Women Voters joined Westford’s First Parish Church United and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for the “Bearing Witness at ICE” demonstration outside of the Department of Homeland Security ICE Field Office in Burlington.
At that demonstration, protestors held homemade signs criticizing the Trump Administration and accusing ICE agents of using excessive force during arrests, holding prisoners in inhumane conditions, and not respecting civil rights and due process.
“So I don’t personally know of any ICE arrests in Westford to be perfectly honest,” League of Women Voters Treasurer and Spokesperson Vicky Geary said during the demonstration in November.
“But (with) that said, Westford does have a large immigrant population and I’m sure they have been impacted by that. Even if they haven’t been targeted, it’s the emotional aspect of this. It’s the fear. In fact, I actually know an immigrant who’d love to go see some friends in Europe, but is scared to death to leave the country, because she’s scared she might not be let back in. Even though she has a legal residence card. So even if we haven’t had that impact like some of the other communities with massive arrests, we have that population in our town, and we are a community, and we do stand up for each other, as we should.”
Also in November, Westford Police Chief Mark Chambers spoke at a Westford League of Women Voters meeting, answering questions posed by members of the league and other meeting attendees regarding the extent that both police officers and members of the public can get involved during arrests by ICE agents.
Questions included the number of ICE arrests in Westford, the extent that both police officers and members of the public can get involved during arrests, and what rights both the agents and detainees have during and after an arrest.
“We did have one situation about two months ago (October 2025), where we had someone that had been placed under arrest for a subsequent offense while driving without a license,” Chambers said.
“As part of our booking process, we take photographs and fingerprints, and the fingerprint system right now is all online, because we have to transmit the fingerprints to make sure the person’s identity is confirmed. ICE was notified through that system that we had somebody in our custody who was under an immigration detainer at the time. They asked us to hold him, we said ‘no’, they waited outside, so once he was bailed out, he walked out of the station and they did take him into custody.”
Federal immigration policy remains a contentious issue nationwide, with communities across the political spectrum grappling with questions about enforcement practices, immigrant rights, and local jurisdiction.
Saturday’s gathering reflected Westford’s tradition of civic engagement, as residents from various perspectives continue to participate in public discourse on national issues affecting their community.
One Response
We now have a Gestapo and a King instead of We The People. Congress must stand up for American citizens and put a stop to both. Our safety and well being alone with our reputation as a leader of the World’s Democracy are in jeopardy. It has to stop now before we loose our country.