Overview
- ICE initiated a traffic stop on Kimball Street just after 7 a.m. Thursday that escalated into an attempted apprehension, according to Fitchburg police.
- ICE twice requested assistance from Fitchburg officers, who positioned themselves between agents and onlookers and briefly closed part of the street.
- At 8:57 a.m., the woman in the SUV was taken into federal custody, while the man and a toddler who were present were allowed to leave.
- Witnesses reported agents pulling a man by the neck, said he appeared to have a seizure, and described a crying child, with one witness alleging agents warned the child could go into state custody.
- Fitchburg police reiterated they do not enforce federal immigration laws and said ICE has not provided information explaining the detention.