Nantucket Residents Fear for Children's Safety After ICE Arrests

Nantucket, a picturesque island off Cape Cod, has seen a surge in its migrant population in recent years. While many of these migrants work to serve the island's summer crowds, some have allegedly committed crimes that have shaken the community.

Local parents, like Erik Evans, are particularly concerned about the safety of their children. Evans, who has lived on the island for 31 years and has an 8-year-old daughter, believes that the influx of illegal migrants has brought with it an increase in crime.

"How are these past five people that have gotten arrested that are rapists and [violent criminals] working here and walking through our grocery store and passing by us at the gas station? It just … it's not what Nantucket once was," Evans said.

In September 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested five illegal immigrants on the island, including a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. These arrests have brought to light the alleged crimes committed by some of the island's migrant population, including child rape, indecent assault, and domestic abuse.

One of the arrested individuals, Salvadoran migrant Bryan Daniel Aldana-Arevalo, was charged with one count of child rape with a 10-year age difference and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. His alleged victim was just 12 years old.

Another arrested individual, Angel Gabriel Deras-Mejia, a reputed MS-13 gang member, was arrested at a playground on the island. He was allegedly drunk and yelling, causing distress to children present. He was also arrested in August for assault and battery on a household member.

These arrests have left many residents feeling unsafe and concerned for their children's well-being. Evans, for example, worries about his daughter's safety as she walks to and from school and attends after-school activities.

"My daughter goes to school, and after school, she goes over to the Boys and Girls Club. But, I mean, they walk there. … And the number of kids, there's never enough chaperones or people that can really keep an eye on all of these kids," he said.

The increase in crime has also been reflected in the local newspaper's crime reports, which have grown significantly in recent years. Evans notes that the reports often include drunk driving, home invasions, domestic abuse, and drug offenses.

"Obviously, you know, we're not really sure where there is a safe place anymore," he said.

While ICE has not conducted arrests on the island since 2017, Evans believes that the situation is only going to worsen. He and other residents are calling for more to be done to ensure the safety of the community, especially the children.