When an illegal immigrant from Guatemala was accused of nine counts of sexually assaulting a child in Massachusetts, federal immigration agents wanted him detained.

But the Massachusetts courts system, operating under the state’s “sanctuary” policies, said no, and the alleged rapist was released.

Today he’s in federal custody thanks to an elite immigration enforcement unit, and sanctuary city politics are back in the New Hampshire race for governor. Republicans are yet again calling out Granite State Democrats for embracing Bay State policies.

The suspect in this case was one of five illegal aliens in the Boston area arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a single day. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin tagged along with cameras rolling, creating disturbing video as the suspects — four alleged child rapists and one MS-13 gang member — were captured.

“Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended an unlawfully present Guatemalan noncitizen who has been charged with a myriad of crimes including sex crimes against minor victims in Massachusetts,” the agency announced on Friday.

The 33-year-old illegal alien, who was arrested near his home in Lynn, Mass. “unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official,” the agency added.

“His very presence in our community represents a dire threat to our residents. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing any such threat to the people of New England,” said Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons in a statement.

According to ICE, an arrest warrant and immigration detainer was issued on November 20, 2023. The suspect was repeatedly arrested by multiple jurisdictions after that date, most recently in Essex Superior Court, when he was arraigned on nine counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, rape of a child, two counts of assault and battery; and intimidation of a witness.

“On an unknown date, the Massachusetts Court System refused to honor ERO Boston’s immigration detainer and ordered the release of the Guatemalan noncitizen,” the agency reported.

Lyons told Fox News that sanctuary policies are “frustrating,” particularly given the current level of criminal activity.

“That’s every day up here in Boston,” Lyons said of the five arrests. “Those are the public safety threats we really want to get off the street. It was a great day, great day for the team.”

But, he added, it wasn’t nearly enough.

“I don’t have enough officers or resources to tackle all these public safety threats. Are we going to go after the child rapist today, or are we going to go after the twice-deported fentanyl dealer? Because we can’t do both.”

During an appearance on WMUR, state Senate Majority Leader Sharon Carson (R- Londonderry) used this story to advocate for passage of the GOP-backed ban on sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire.

“We have seen some awful things that have been happening here across the country,” Carson said, referencing events in the Bay State. “We don’t want those things to happen here in New Hampshire. We want to protect our state’s citizens from this.”

The two Republicans running for New Hampshire governor are also speaking out.

“As governor, I will remain committed to safeguarding our Granite State from the escalating crisis next door,” former state Senate President Chuck Morse posted on social media. “I will take decisive action to ensure our communities are protected, equipping law enforcement with all necessary resources to tackle the situation head-on.”

Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte posted, “This is unacceptable. Sanctuary policies have made Massachusetts a magnet for illegal immigrants and made their communities less safe. Joyce Craig would bring these policies to New Hampshire. I won’t let that happen.”

And Ayotte used her social media account to remind Granite Staters that Craig has declined to answer the question of whether or not she would support sanctuary city policies for 229 straight days.

However, Craig has testified in the past that she supports allowing towns and cities to ignore ICE detainer requests if they choose, in the name of “welcoming” policies.

This is how ICE describes the detainer process.

“Detainers are a critical public safety tool because they focus enforcement resources on removable noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity. Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved – ERO personnel, law enforcement officials, the removable noncitizens, and the public – by allowing an arrest to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community.”