Opinion: Settling the ICE lawsuit was the right decision

To the Editor:

After the May 1, 2020 melee at the Bristol County Immigrant Detention Center, during then- Sheriff Hodgson’s last tenure in office, sixteen detained undocumented immigrants, who alleged to have been injured and denied their constitutional rights, brought suit against Sheriff Hodgson and some members of his staff.

As a result of the violent episode, the  former Attorney General Maura Healey conducted an extensive investigation and released her findings and recommendations in a well documented report that was made available to the public in December 2020. The report graphically described the inflicted injuries and most significantly described the alleged disproportionate and illegal response of Sheriff Hodgson and several members of his staff during the course of this episode.

It can be suggested that this well publicized incident, in tandem with other reported failures, and a high suicide rate, convinced the Bristol County voters to elect a new sheriff.  

Anyone doubtful of the actions, or inactions, of that May 1st event,  or critical of the settlement with the plaintiff immigrants, should read the Attorney General’s report in its entirety. The numerous accounts of the detained immigrants,  members of the nursing staff, the correctional officers involved, the taped evidence and references to the mandated regulations,  all attested to the liability that undoubtedly convinced Sheriff Heroux and his legal staff to settle this matter and avoid a potentially greater court ordered amount for the plaintiffs and their attorneys. 

Betty Ussach

Dartmouth