U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched one of the largest immigration enforcement operations of 2025, targeting undocumented immigrants across New York City in a sweeping campaign that’s drawing sharp criticism from local officials and immigrant advocacy groups.
The stepped-up raids, which began earlier this month and intensified over the weekend, focus on neighborhoods with large immigrant populations—part of President Donald Trump’s expanded enforcement directive announced in June. ICE officials said the initiative is a direct response to what they call New York City’s “defiance of federal law” through its sanctuary city policies.
What We Know About the NYC Operation
- Scope: Hundreds of agents have been deployed across all five boroughs in the largest targeted action since Trump’s 2025 order to increase interior deportations.
- Targets: ICE says it is prioritizing individuals with existing deportation orders or criminal records, but advocates claim many people with no such history are being detained.
- Locations: Operations are concentrated in Queens, the Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn, with reports of agents approaching people at subway stations, outside courthouses, and in residential neighborhoods.
- Tactics: The agency is using both marked and unmarked vehicles, knocking on doors, and relying on surveillance technology to track individuals.
Trump Administration Defends Aggressive Action
The White House issued a statement Monday defending the operation as “a necessary step to restore law and order in cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities.” A senior DHS official accused New York City leaders of “shielding lawbreakers” and warned that more cities could face similar crackdowns.
President Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his second-term agenda, with ICE operations increasing sharply in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston in recent weeks.
NYC Officials Push Back
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he welcomes more ICE agents in the city if they’re going to help the city go after “dangerous people”, but said that “if it’s going to be to go after everyday individuals who are trying to complete the path, who are trying to be a citizen, I don’t think we should do that.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said in a statement that New York must “stand firm in its values” and continue providing legal resources and community support to those impacted.
Immigration advocacy groups, including Make the Road New York and the NYCLU, have been more vocal—organizing “Know Your Rights” campaigns and accusing the Biden and Trump administrations of failing immigrant communities through years of bipartisan enforcement tactics.
The New York Civil Liberties Union and other groups are offering legal assistance and advising residents not to open their doors to agents without a warrant. Protesters gathered Monday morning outside ICE’s Manhattan office, chanting “No human is illegal” and demanding an immediate halt to the raids.
Community Impact and Legal Challenges
Immigration attorneys report a surge in calls from panicked families and say some schools have seen lower attendance as parents keep children home out of fear.
Advocates argue the operation could violate constitutional protections if agents are making arrests without proper judicial oversight. Lawsuits may follow, particularly if reports of warrantless entries are confirmed.
What to Do If ICE Agents Approach You
- Do not open the door unless agents present a signed judicial warrant.
- Remain silent and request a lawyer.
- Do not sign any documents without legal counsel.
- Call a local immigration hotline or legal aid organization for help.
The Bigger Picture
This escalation comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to crack down on cities and states that limit cooperation with ICE. Federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions is also under review.
As election season heats up, immigration is once again at the forefront of national debate—with New York City now the center of a high-stakes battle between local autonomy and federal authority.
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