A 28-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, was arrested by Revere Police in Massachusetts after being found with a loaded AR-15 rifle, three large-capacity magazines, and approximately 10 pounds of fentanyl—equivalent to about 2.2 million lethal doses.
Sanchez was apprehended at a hotel-turned-homeless shelter in Revere, where he was seeking a room. Revere Police Chief David Callahan stated, “This individual endangered occupants of the hotel, on-site workers, public safety personnel, and the community at large.”
In response to the arrest, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey ordered inspections of all state-run shelters and a review of their policies. She attributed the incident to systemic issues, stating, “This further underscores our broken federal immigration system and the urgent need for Congress and the White House to act on a border security bill to prevent criminals from entering our communities.”
However, Governor Healey has previously expressed opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts. In November, she stated that Massachusetts State Police would “absolutely not” assist in federal deportation operations.
This incident has intensified scrutiny of Massachusetts’ sanctuary policies and their potential implications for public safety. Critics argue that non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities may allow individuals with criminal intent to exploit state resources and pose risks to local communities.
Sanchez is currently in state custody, facing multiple firearm charges and fentanyl trafficking charges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed a detainer against him, seeking custody upon his release from state authorities.
This case highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement, state sanctuary policies, and the challenges of ensuring public safety amid complex legal and political landscapes.