An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest in Upton, Massachusetts took an unexpected turn this week when an anti-ICE demonstrator’s car rolled into a lake after she apparently forgot to put it in park while yelling at agents.
WATCH: An anti-ICE protester’s car sinks into a lake after she forgot to put it in park while yelling at agents arresting an illegal immigrant in Massachusetts, an ICE source tells @BillMelugin_. pic.twitter.com/Qv0iJu5mSq
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 28, 2025
According to an ICE source speaking to Fox News, the incident occurred as agents were arresting an illegal immigrant in the small town, which sits about 40 miles west of Boston in Worcester County. The protester, who has not been publicly identified, was reportedly distracted while confronting officers at the scene.
Video footage and photos provided by ICE sources show the woman standing onshore, helplessly watching her vehicle drift into the water and gradually sink. In the video, a bystander can be heard dryly commenting, “Well, that sucks. Look at that, Lucy. Her car got lost,” as the car floats further out before going under.
ICE agents can also be seen walking nearby, with one appearing to escort an individual in handcuffs.
Weeks of Tension in Upton
The incident comes amid ongoing protests in the region, where protesters have been objecting to ICE’s enforcement operations and immigration arrests.
Northeastern towns have recently become embroiled in immigration tensions, with demonstrators frequently showing up at enforcement actions. The presence of activists has reportedly complicated ICE operations, increasing danger for the agents.
While this week’s episode may not result in arrests or injuries, it has drawn viral attention for its almost surreal nature — a protester’s car sinking into a lake mid-demonstration serves as a metaphor, some have suggested, for the misplaced priorities of open borders advocates.
From mass demonstrations in sanctuary cities to direct action stunts, tensions have continued to mount over the Biden and Trump administrations’ respective immigration policies.
While the Massachusetts protest did not reach extremes, the viral video has reignited conversations on social media about the conduct and motivations of anti-ICE activists.
No Injuries Reported, But Car Lost
Local authorities confirmed that no one was injured during the incident, and the arrested individual was taken into federal custody without resistance. The woman whose car sank into the lake reportedly did not attempt to enter the water to retrieve the vehicle and was seen calling for assistance afterward.
It’s unclear whether the vehicle has been recovered.
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