President of Boston University addresses ICE raid at Allston Car Wash called in by student
The president of Boston University has addressed ongoing concerns around a student who boasted on social media about calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for "months" before agents detained workers at Allston Car Wash last week .
"We have had many concerns raised by our campus community and neighbors about a social media post by a Boston University student following the November 4 actions of ICE at the Allston Car Wash," a statement from the spokesperson for Boston University read.
"The University seeks to support the safety and well-being of all members of its community, which includes providing support to those who are distressed by this situation, as well as ensuring the safety of all others."
Boston University President Melissa L. Gilliam stated, "We must affirm the dignity and worth of all people."
"Too often, we fail to see one another's full humanity, overlooking the rich complexity and unique gifts each person brings," Gilliam continued. "When we focus only on differences — skin color, political views — we risk fostering division and pain where there should be unity and understanding."
The statements come after Zac Segal, a junior who is earning degrees in business and political science at the university, wrote in a social media post on Nov. 7 that he had "been calling ICE for months on end." The post came just days after immigration officials descended on Allston Car Wash, detaining nine employees.
"This week they finally responded to my request to detain these criminals. As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I've seen how American jobs are being given away to those with no right to be here. Pump up the numbers!" Segal wrote on X.
According to the Boston University Men's Track & Field page , Segal hails from London, England.
Segal was quote-tweeting a Boston.com story about the raid. When The Boston Globe published a story about Segal, he posted again , writing, "We must stand up for this country."
While Segal is still active on X, he has taken down his profile on LinkedIn.
Segal did not respond to multiple messages from a MassLive reporter this week.
According to their lawyer, at least some of the nine employees had employment authorization cards issued by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services, which allow non-citizens to work in the country for a specific time period.
When ICE agents descended on the business Nov. 4, some employees tried to retrieve their documents from their lockers but were prevented from doing so, said Todd Pomerleau, a lawyer representing the employees.
Pomerleau has since filed habeas corpus cases in federal court for each employee, challenging their detainments as unlawful. Five of the people who were detained have been granted bond hearings.
The raid generated significant outrage in the community , drawing protesters to the car wash. Last week, a vigil was held to show support for the detained employees.
Boston City Councilor Liz Breadon, who represents the Allston neighborhood where the car wash is located, called the detentions "kidnapping — plain and simple."
"It is a horrifying chapter in the illegal and vindictive targeting of Boston by ICE and the Trump Administration," she said.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told WCVB that all nine of the employees were in the country illegally.
"On Nov. 4, ICE conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Allston, Massachusetts that resulted in the arrest of 9 illegal aliens, including an illegal alien who chose to commit a felony by illegally re-entering the U.S.," McLaughlin said in a statement. "Three entered under the Biden administration, four were gotaways at the border, one entered illegally under W. Bush, and another overstayed his visa, which expired under President Clinton."
MassLive reporter Charlie McKenna contributed to this article.
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