Sarah Betancourt
@sweetadelinevt.bsky.social
Immigration Reporter @gbhnews.bsky.social #desgraciada 🇵🇷 journalist since 2007. I don’t make the headlines. Occasional freelancer elsewhere. IRE award 2018 w/ ProPublica.
Pinned
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
In October and November alone, 217 ICE flights departed from the airfield in Bedford, according to @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Healey demands ICE stop using Massachusetts airport
In October and November alone, 217 ICE flights departed from the airfield in Bedford, according to ICE Flight Monitor.
www.wgbh.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
In October and November alone, 217 ICE flights departed from the airfield in Bedford, according to @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
“The whole time she was crying out that she was in pain and that she had legal status and even as her legs gave out they continued to drag her and tried to force her into the vehicle,” said Lenson of Lawyers for Civil Rights. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Chelsea mother with green card files federal complaint against ICE for September arrest
Hilda Ramirez Sanan, 50, was accompanying a family member to a court hearing in Chelsea with her son in the backseat.
www.wgbh.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
“The whole time she was crying out that she was in pain and that she had legal status and even as her legs gave out they continued to drag her and tried to force her into the vehicle,” said Lenson of Lawyers for Civil Rights. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
@markey.senate.gov @aclum.bsky.social blasted recent moves by immigration authorities to deny a group of immigrants the ability to become citizens in a building known as America’s “Cradle of Liberty.” follow up to story we broke: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Markey, legal advocates ‘shine a spotlight’ on oath ceremony cancellations
Legal advocates could file litigation related to local immigrants being denied citizenship after extensive vetting.
www.wgbh.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:14 PM
@markey.senate.gov @aclum.bsky.social blasted recent moves by immigration authorities to deny a group of immigrants the ability to become citizens in a building known as America’s “Cradle of Liberty.” follow up to story we broke: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
A week ago, several green card holders were asked their countries of origin at a Faneuil Hall oath ceremony, and told they couldn’t proceed. story we broke:
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:37 AM
A week ago, several green card holders were asked their countries of origin at a Faneuil Hall oath ceremony, and told they couldn’t proceed. story we broke:
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
“I think that it’s something psychologically traumatizing for my daughter that she’s going to live through, that she is living through,” Abarca Tixe said of her daughter experiencing a second parent detained.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Labor trafficking visa applicant detained at routine ICE check-in
The family has a pending T visa case, which is for survivors of labor trafficking. People waiting for their cases to be adjudicated can legally remain in the country, so it’s unclear why he was detain...
www.wgbh.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
“I think that it’s something psychologically traumatizing for my daughter that she’s going to live through, that she is living through,” Abarca Tixe said of her daughter experiencing a second parent detained.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
“Un poco nervioso, y miedo,” (“I’m a little nervous, and scared,”) said Juan David Quichimbo in a text to a reporter.
It was the last text he would send before he was detained during a routine check-in with immigration authorities.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
It was the last text he would send before he was detained during a routine check-in with immigration authorities.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Labor trafficking visa applicant detained at routine ICE check-in
The family has a pending T visa case, which is for survivors of labor trafficking. People waiting for their cases to be adjudicated can legally remain in the country, so it’s unclear why he was detain...
www.wgbh.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
“Un poco nervioso, y miedo,” (“I’m a little nervous, and scared,”) said Juan David Quichimbo in a text to a reporter.
It was the last text he would send before he was detained during a routine check-in with immigration authorities.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
It was the last text he would send before he was detained during a routine check-in with immigration authorities.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
From earlier: A Boston federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore an essential government record for Rümeysa Öztürk that will let her do paid work as part of her graduate studies.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Judge orders Trump administration to restore Rümeysa Öztürk's federal student record
Lawyers for Oztürk say she’d been unable to work with the record revoked.
www.wgbh.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
From earlier: A Boston federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore an essential government record for Rümeysa Öztürk that will let her do paid work as part of her graduate studies.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
“They just asked us questions, if we were legal or illegal — but they already had arrested us,” said Heidy Aguilon Mauricio, describing how quick and unexpected her detention was.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Allston car wash workers speak out about their detention
A seventh employee, the only one sent out of New England, was released Saturday.
www.wgbh.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
“They just asked us questions, if we were legal or illegal — but they already had arrested us,” said Heidy Aguilon Mauricio, describing how quick and unexpected her detention was.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Side note- I did speak with additional sources present or who had family present, who were too anxious to have their names published, and know of impacted individuals. A line of explanation didn’t make the cut.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Side note- I did speak with additional sources present or who had family present, who were too anxious to have their names published, and know of impacted individuals. A line of explanation didn’t make the cut.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
“As a mother, it deeply saddened me. But you want to take care of your children in the best way. But it’s like letting go of a piece of yourself,” said Ramirez.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Local immigrants prepare guardianship paperwork in case they’re detained by ICE
“It’s like letting go of a piece of yourself.”
www.wgbh.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“As a mother, it deeply saddened me. But you want to take care of your children in the best way. But it’s like letting go of a piece of yourself,” said Ramirez.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
NEW: Judge order keeps them in Massachusetts. Two Ecuadorian parents and their 7-year-old daughter bought airline tickets after receiving two handwritten sticky notes from ICE demanding they self-deport by Dec. 2
read more: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
read more: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Ecuadorian family can remain in Mass. after getting sticky note ordering self-deportation
Parents have a pending trafficking case, in the U.S. legally.
www.wgbh.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NEW: Judge order keeps them in Massachusetts. Two Ecuadorian parents and their 7-year-old daughter bought airline tickets after receiving two handwritten sticky notes from ICE demanding they self-deport by Dec. 2
read more: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
read more: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
This family, which is legally here, may have to self-deport from Logan Airport tomorrow-- because of an order on a sticky note.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Ecuadorian family prepares to self-deport, despite having open trafficking case
“To be here, to be mistreated … we’re already traumatized,” Juan David Quichimbo said.
www.wgbh.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This family, which is legally here, may have to self-deport from Logan Airport tomorrow-- because of an order on a sticky note.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
One refugee SNAP recipient talked to @gbhnews.bsky.social about their experience suddenly losing the benefit.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Campbell and other AGs sue Trump administration over immigrant SNAP cuts
Local refugee describes the sudden impact of the changes.
www.wgbh.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM
One refugee SNAP recipient talked to @gbhnews.bsky.social about their experience suddenly losing the benefit.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Massachusetts could join several other states in barring local law enforcement and public entities from entering into agreements with ICE.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
Legislators and advocates make their case for the Safe Communities Act
The much more rapid and greater number of detentions and deportations by ICE create a new urgency, they argue.
www.wgbh.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Massachusetts could join several other states in barring local law enforcement and public entities from entering into agreements with ICE.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell and other attorneys general are crying foul on federal changes to food benefits for immigrants, specifically those that have gone through extensive vetting to be in the US.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Attorneys general push back on SNAP changes impacting highly vetted immigrants
They say the changes will prevent thousands of immigrants from getting help.
www.wgbh.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell and other attorneys general are crying foul on federal changes to food benefits for immigrants, specifically those that have gone through extensive vetting to be in the US.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Scoop- Three immigrants who work at Allston Car Wash were released from ICE custody on Tuesday night, after bond delay. Here's what their attorney had to say:
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Three immigrant employees from Allston Car Wash released after bond delay
Volunteers helping the workers with bond ran into problems posting it through ICE’s online payment system.
www.wgbh.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Scoop- Three immigrants who work at Allston Car Wash were released from ICE custody on Tuesday night, after bond delay. Here's what their attorney had to say:
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Three car wash employees, including one who turns 20 today- are still detained 24 hours plus after being granted bond.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Some detained at Allston Car Wash granted bond, but still in detention
Volunteers helping with bond ran into problems posting it on ICE’s online payment system.
www.wgbh.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Three car wash employees, including one who turns 20 today- are still detained 24 hours plus after being granted bond.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
@gbhnews.bsky.social spoke with Archbishop of Boston, one of the four authors of the rare message.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
‘We welcome the stranger’: Boston archbishop helped craft condemnation of mass deportations
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops called on Catholics to help immigrants in a rare joint statement.
www.wgbh.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
@gbhnews.bsky.social spoke with Archbishop of Boston, one of the four authors of the rare message.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
The special pastoral message staunchly opposed the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people” and the “vilification of immigrants.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
November 13, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The special pastoral message staunchly opposed the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people” and the “vilification of immigrants.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Shopping for an Affordable Care Act health plan? NPR wants to hear your experience
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/g...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/g...
Shopping for an Affordable Care Act health plan? NPR wants to hear your experience
If you buy your own health insurance through the ACA marketplaces, how do this year's prices look to you?
www.npr.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Shopping for an Affordable Care Act health plan? NPR wants to hear your experience
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/g...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/g...
I sat down with the daughter-in-law of a detained car wash employee, and his grandchildren. the family is reeling from his detention. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @wgbh.org
Family members of detained car wash employees speak out
Advocates say the detained workers had legal documentation and no record of criminal activity.
www.wgbh.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I sat down with the daughter-in-law of a detained car wash employee, and his grandchildren. the family is reeling from his detention. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @wgbh.org
ICE raids a local car wash, detaining 9, who allegedly have legal papers.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
ICE detains 9 at Allston-Brighton car wash in what could be neighborhood’s largest raid of the year
The local city councilor said, as far as she knows, all of the people detained had some form of legal immigration status.
www.wgbh.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
ICE raids a local car wash, detaining 9, who allegedly have legal papers.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
A Leominster man — whose 5-year-old daughter with autism was the subject of a viral video involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — was released on bond this week.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
Leominster father whose daughter was subject of viral ICE encounter released
Edwards Hip Mejia’s story gained national attention and drew outrage from Massachusetts’ governor.
www.wgbh.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A Leominster man — whose 5-year-old daughter with autism was the subject of a viral video involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — was released on bond this week.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... #immigrationnews @gbhnews.bsky.social
Locals with family ties in Jamaica react: “They basically lost everything, and there’s limited communication on that part of the island."
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Mass. residents with Jamaica ties worry about destruction but eager to rebuild
After deadly Hurricane Melissa, locals are sending money and trying to contact family and friends who’ve lost power, sustained property damage and likely lost their crops for this harvest.
www.wgbh.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Locals with family ties in Jamaica react: “They basically lost everything, and there’s limited communication on that part of the island."
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social