Federal agents recently arrested five illegal immigrants, including a member of the MS-13 gang, for crimes that include sexual assault of children on Nantucket, causing fear among local parents. The island has seen a surge in the migrant population that stays beyond the summer months, leading to an increase in crimes rarely seen in the past. Residents are concerned about the safety of their children, given the recent arrests and the changing demographics of the island. Wealthy seasonal residents and celebrities who own homes on Nantucket have attracted an influx of illegal migrants to the island.
Earlier in September, 28-year-old Bryan Daniel Aldana-Arevalo, a Salvadoran migrant, was charged with child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Another Salvadoran migrant, Elmer Sola, was charged with multiple sex crimes against a child and was released on conditions that he later violated. Agents also arrested illegal Brazilian migrant Geon do Amaral Belafronte and Guatemalan Felix Alberto Perez-Gomez for sex crimes against Nantucket residents. The arrests have left many residents on the island feeling unsafe and concerned about the presence of dangerous criminals in their community.
One Nantucket father expressed his concerns after realizing that one of the gang member’s arrests took place near his daughter’s preschool. Residents are worried about the safety of their children and the impact of the changing demographic on the island’s community. A 39-year-old resident, who has been living on Nantucket since childhood, pointed out that people are hesitant to publicly discuss the issue or express support for the ICE raids on social media. The community is grappling with feelings of fear and uncertainty as a result of the recent arrests.
Local parents like Erik Evans are particularly concerned about the safety of their children in the community. He noted the increase in crime on the island in recent years, with reports of drunk driving, home invasions, domestic abuse, and drug-related incidents. The presence of surveillance cameras and alarm system companies has also increased on Nantucket as residents try to protect themselves and their families. Evans emphasized the need for more action to address the growing issue of crimes and illegal immigration on the island.
ICE officials had not conducted arrests on Nantucket since 2017 before the recent operations carried out in September. Evans and other residents believe that the situation will only worsen before any improvements are seen. The community is on edge, unsure of where it is safe anymore and concerned about the long-term effects of the changes taking place on the once picturesque island. Despite the fears and uncertainties, residents are hopeful that more action will be taken to address the issues of crime and illegal immigration to ensure the safety of all residents, especially children.
