A convicted murderer paroled after 17 years in Massachusetts was swiftly taken into ICE custody for deportation, sparking debate over his early release and the growing focus on criminal immigration arrests.

A convicted murderer who served just 17 years of a life sentence in Massachusetts was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials after being paroled by state authorities.
Cesar Polanco, 59, was released from MCI-Norfolk prison after Massachusetts parole board officials determined he had shown remorse for the brutal murder of his wife in 2007. The Dominican national had been convicted of fatally beating his wife in front of their then-5-year-old son. Parole board members cited Polanco’s alleged remorse, as well as his claim that he had called the police himself after the crime, as reasons for granting his parole. They also pointed to his strong family support network in the U.S., particularly his daughter and other relatives, who were set to care for him under the state’s “home plan” following his release.
Despite the parole, Polanco’s freedom was short-lived. As he left the prison, ICE agents were waiting to take him into custody for deportation. Polanco’s release sparked criticism due to his violent past and his history of entering the U.S. illegally, using fake identities and documents. Prosecutors had highlighted his criminal history during his trial, noting his multiple illegal entries into the country before the murder.
Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project instructor John Fitzpatrick defended the parole board’s decision, stating it had followed proper procedure in reviewing Polanco’s case. “The Parole Board responsibly discharged its statutory duty to fairly consider parole petitions,” Fitzpatrick said. However, he acknowledged that ICE was also fulfilling its role by detaining Polanco for deportation.
ICE has been ramping up its efforts to arrest and deport criminals, including members of dangerous gangs like MS-13. In the past week alone, the agency has reportedly apprehended over 7,000 criminal immigrants. In a related operation in Boston, ICE agents arrested multiple gang members and suspects wanted for serious crimes, including murder and rape.