These rights are protected under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Legal experts note that such interference is rare and can have significant ramifications for the credibility and perceived fairness of the justice system.
Ryan Sullivan, one of Martell-Lebron’s attorneys, expressed outrage over the arrest, stating, “Law enforcement agents have a job to see justice is done. Prosecutors have a job to see justice is done.
There is no greater injustice in my mind than the government arresting someone, without identifying themselves, and preventing them from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to a jury trial.”
Context: Immigration Enforcement in Boston
Boston has long positioned itself as a “sanctuary city,” limiting the cooperation of local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities.
Sanctuary city policies typically bar municipal police from assisting in the enforcement of federal immigration law, including detaining or transferring undocumented immigrants to ICE custody.
During the Trump administration, tensions between sanctuary cities and federal authorities intensified.
Officials such as then-ICE Director Tom Homan and members of Congress criticized Boston and other sanctuary cities for what they described as insufficient cooperation in deporting individuals accused of violent crimes.
Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat and current mayor seeking reelection, reaffirmed Boston’s commitment to remaining a welcoming city for immigrants.
