Illegal dominican national arrested by ice in boston for armed robbery charge

A Dominican national living illegally in the United States has been arrested in Boston by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in connection with a masked armed robbery in Massachusetts, federal authorities announced Wednesday.

Emerson Esteban Arias-Polanco, 27, was taken into custody on March 20 by ICE Boston’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New England and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston. He remains in ICE custody.

Arias-Polanco was initially arrested by Dedham police on November 30, 2023, and charged with armed robbery while masked. The case was elevated to Norfolk County Superior Court, where he was indicted on May 3, 2024.

According to ICE, Arias-Polanco entered the country illegally at an unknown time and location, without being inspected or admitted by immigration authorities. On January 5, 2025, ICE lodged an immigration detainer against him with the Norfolk County House of Corrections, which authorities say was not honored.

Key points

Emerson Esteban Arias-Polanco was arrested in Boston for a 2023 armed robbery charge
ICE says the suspect entered the U.S. illegally and was released despite a detainer request
Arias-Polanco remains in ICE custody following his March 20 arrest

ICE criticizes local release of robbery suspect despite immigration detainer

Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE Boston, criticized the Norfolk County House of Corrections for not holding Arias-Polanco in custody. “It is regrettable that the Norfolk County House of Corrections decided to ignore our immigration detainer and released Arias-Polanco back into the community,” Hyde stated.

ICE officials emphasized that they will continue to prioritize arrests and removals of noncitizens who pose public safety threats in New England. The agency also reiterated its ongoing partnerships with federal and local law enforcement agencies.

Arias-Polanco is currently being held by ICE pending immigration proceedings.

A previously released armed robbery suspect is back in federal custody after a coordinated arrest by ICE and its partners in Boston.

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