Five arrested at Lawrence immigration office

Employing a newly aggressive approach, federal immigration authorities arrested five people Wednesday at the Lawrence office of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, an office where immigrants can seek legal residency.

The arrests alarmed immigrant advocates who said a law enforcement operation at a government office marks a shift from past practices and could have a chilling effect on immigrants who are taking steps to obtain lawful residency.

“They respond to an interview that was scheduled by the government, they listen to the government, show up when they’re supposed to, and they’re arrested,” said Susan Church, chair of the New England chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

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