Massachusetts sanctuary law may free Pakistani driver charged with assaulting elderly Boston resident

A Pakistani delivery driver accused of sexually assaulting a wheelchair-bound elderly woman in Boston is likely to be released because Massachusetts sanctuary statutes prevent ICE detainers from being enforced.

Qaisar Ali, a 39-year-old Pakistani migrant employed by a pharmaceutical delivery service, was taken into custody on August 5 after a wheelchair-bound elderly Boston resident alleged he entered her home without consent and repeatedly touched her inappropriately on August 2. He has been charged with three counts of assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person, two counts of indecent assault and battery, indecent exposure, breaking and entering, and assault with intent to commit rape.

ICE submitted an immigration detainer, but Governor Maura Healey’s “Protect Act” - a sanctuary-law provision - is expected to prevent the detainer’s enforcement, meaning Ali will likely be released. ICE officials pointed to prior instances where sanctuary policies in Massachusetts allowed individuals such as Kenyan national Kenneth Mutero, Mongolian Batbold Enkhbold, and Brazilian Fabiano Silvio Dos Santos to avoid detention despite criminal allegations.

The agency warned that the state’s refusal to honor detainers can let dangerous criminals re-enter the community. The case highlights tension between state sanctuary laws and federal immigration enforcement.