The inauguration of Donald Trump as President, taking place on January 20th, made it clear that a nationwide crackdown on immigrants would be a top priority of his presidency. Only a week after Trump’s statements, the country began to see signs of this crackdown taking place, predominately in major cities, with New York City being one of them. Many ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) raids have now begun taking place, instilling fear into not only migrants, but all communities of color as well.
New York City is widely regarded as one of the most diverse cities in the world, with a large population of immigrants. This creates a huge issue, as legal residents can find themselves at risk of being wrongfully detained or even deported by ICE agents. Unease now hangs over those of different backgrounds, as they worry about themselves, and family members, being targeted. This constant anxiety has begun to affect the quality of life for many residents, endlessly looking over their shoulders, unsure if they’ll be the next victim of ICE.
Although these raids may seem like indiscriminate targeting of minorities, ICE claims to be specifically targeting criminal immigrants. However, the reality is much more complicated. While yes, many of those detained have been proven to be involved in criminal activity, a significant number of detainees have no criminal records, which raises concerns about the raids. Tom Homan, a law enforcement officer himself admitted that, “collateral arrests,” should be expected. Meaning that individuals with no criminal record caught in the crossfire of ICE agents could still be arrested. The governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, while supportive of removing violent criminal immigrants from the country, has expressed concern, “I’m afraid about kids not going to school now because they’re worried about their parents being swept up in some raid. I’m afraid about people not going to their churches & worship. This troubles me deeply as the governor of New York.”
During these troubling times, it is important to know your rights and what you should do if ever in an encounter with ICE. The link below will take you to a website where you can access information on what your rights are, what to do, and how to handle a potential confrontation with ICE agents. Whether you believe that this crackdown on immigrants is a net positive for the country, or if it’s corrupt, what can’t be denied is the effects this is having on migrants who just want a better future for themselves. It must be made clear to everyone, what rights they are entitled to, regardless of immigration status.
Website for information if in an ICE encounter: