Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos—the nation’s first Dominican American elected to statewide office—has frequently spoken out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, federal immigration enforcement tactics, and systemic issues in immigration enforcement.

Her public positions and key statements surrounding ICE focus on several core themes:

Key Areas of Public Criticism

1. ICE Tactics in Judicial & Public Spaces

Lt. Gov. Matos has strongly spoken out against ICE enforcement actions around state facilities, particularly judicial complexes (such as the Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence).

• Due Process Concerns: She has criticized ICE for carrying out detentions and enforcement near state courts, arguing that such tactics intimidate victims, witnesses, and defendants, ultimately chilling public cooperation with local law enforcement and interfering with due process.

2. Community Outreach and Know Your Rights Advocacy

• • Public Forums & Information: Matos has hosted community conversations on immigrants’ rights, bringing together legal advocates, community members, and civic leaders to clarify legal protections when interacting with ICE agents.

  • Protecting Vulnerable Communities: Drawing from her personal background as an immigrant, Matos emphasizes that aggressive federal enforcement instills fear in immigrant neighborhoods and deters community members from accessing vital public services, health resources, or local police assistance.

  • 3. Federal Immigration Reform vs. Enforcement

    • Systemic Critique: Rather than relying heavily on punitive federal enforcement measures carried out by ICE, Matos advocates for comprehensive federal immigration reform that establishes clear, humane pathways to legal status and citizenship.

    • State & Local Non-Cooperation: She generally supports policies that limit state and local police involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, maintaining that local resources should focus on public safety rather than serving as an arm of federal ICE operations.