FALL RIVER — A convicted child rapist has finally been torn from his Massachusetts home after decades of living in America illegally.

Dennis Costa, 66, was snatched by Homeland Security agents in a July 29 raid on his Fall River address.

The Portugal-born predator’s crimes are stomach-turning — convicted in 1991 of raping and abusing a girl under 14, and of indecent assault and battery on a child. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars and ordered to register as a sex offender.

But when his prison term ended, Costa stayed. For decades. In Massachusetts — a self-declared “sanctuary state” under Governor Maura Healey that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Critics say those policies give dangerous criminals a shield until ICE steps in.

Costa entered the U.S. in 1969 as a lawful permanent resident. That status is supposed to be revoked for serious convictions — yet it took more than 30 years after his crimes for federal agents to haul him away.

He is now in ICE custody, awaiting an immigration judge’s decision on whether he will finally be deported.