DA Tucker Shares Thoughts on “The American Dream” with Jim Carrigan

Mar 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LYNN, Mass. – March 6, 2025 – In a recent wide-ranging interview with attorney Jim Carrigan on his Lynn Community Television talk show “The American Dream,” District Attorney Paul F. Tucker delivered remarks on several timely topics. Carrigan noted that, especially in Lynn, some members of immigrant communities are fearful that they will get “picked up” by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) even if they are legally in the country.

“Don't let the facts be clouded by misinformation on social media, and please trust your local police,” DA Tucker advised. “We’re hearing reports of alleged victims of domestic abuse who are afraid to come forward. Local police will not ask your immigration status. They simply want to help.”

Carrigan also asked Tucker about alternatives to prosecution such as diversion programs that his office makes available to certain young and first-time offenders.

“It’s a robust program: there’s a community service piece, a mental health piece, and a restorative justice piece to it,” Tucker said, “and when people successfully complete this program, they don’t have a record. Because we know that the recidivism rate is higher when someone enters into the system than if we can keep them out of the system and give them an opportunity for a second chance – when appropriate.”

Carrigan noted that these diversion programs also save taxpayers a significant amount given the costs of incarceration.