Federal immigration agents conducted raids across Boston and nearby communities over the weekend, arresting dozens of people, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

The move came as the Justice Department filed suit against the city and its mayor, intensifying a clash over local sanctuary policies. Local officials have rejected the federal operations as unnecessary and authoritarian overreach.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the operation, dubbed “Patriot 2.0,” followed a similar sweep in May. The agency said those taken into custody included individuals accused of sexual assault, drug trafficking and gang activity who had been released from local jails despite federal requests to hold them. Officials said Boston’s policies allowed dangerous offende

See Full Page