Early Tuesday morning, phone calls from worried tenants woke up the manager of an apartment building in the Bronx. The callers reported the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside their building. This surprise enforcement action was part of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to boost deportations, focusing on major cities and making these operations highly visible.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later confirmed on social media that she was present during the raid, in which at least one undocumented immigrant was arrested in the Highbridge neighborhood. The news quickly spread, drawing reactions from residents, business owners, and immigrant advocacy groups across New York City.
ICE Raids Shock Local Residents
Throughout Tuesday morning, police officers remained at the scene as residents and business owners tried to process what had happened. Many were surprised by the immigration raid, noting that while crime has long been an issue in the area, immigration enforcement actions are rare.
A 28-year-old local business owner, speaking in Spanish and requesting anonymity out of fear, said,
“I think it’s OK if they need to arrest somebody because they committed a crime, but I worry that with ICE, they may also arrest others that haven’t done anything bad.”
According to the Furman Center at New York University, which studies housing and urban policies, the crime rate in Highbridge is higher than the citywide average. However, the New York Police Department (NYPD) does not typically assist with civil immigration enforcement, as city and state laws prevent them from doing so.
Authorities Justify the Raid
Despite local concerns, officials defended the operation. As part of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) task force, NYPD officers were present during the early-morning raid. Law enforcement officials stated that the undocumented person arrested was wanted for serious crimes, including kidnapping, assault, and burglary.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a statement emphasizing the city’s commitment to public safety for all residents, including immigrants.
“We will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice—just as we have done for years. Our commitment to protecting our city’s law-abiding residents remains unwavering.”
Despite these assurances, the raid raised concerns among immigrant communities, particularly among those who fear deportation even if they have no criminal history.
Fear Among Immigrants in New York City
New York City has long been a hub for immigrants, including newly arrived migrants seeking safety and opportunity. Many are currently staying in temporary shelters, such as the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, which has been converted into an emergency shelter for migrants.
Isabel Miranda, a 39-year-old mother from Colombia, has been living at the Roosevelt Hotel with her two children for several weeks. She described the fear that these raids create among immigrant families.
“It makes you desperate; you go out, and they look at us as if we were criminals who came here to destroy the country, and that’s not the case. We contribute, too, because we work hard and we do the tough jobs.”
When asked about the possibility of deportation, she pleaded,
“The only thing I ask for is that my children remain safe, because I can’t go back to Colombia.”
Her 8-year-old son, Ihan Forero, echoed these fears. As he stood outside the Roosevelt Hotel after school, he was asked what he thought of President Donald Trump. His response was simple yet powerful:
“Fear. … He has a cold heart.”
Criticism of the Trump Administration’s Immigration Policy
According to recent figures from the Trump administration, about half of those arrested by ICE in recent raids had no criminal record. This has fueled concerns that the raids are more about creating fear than targeting dangerous criminals.
Murad Awawdeh, the president of the New York Immigration Coalition, strongly criticized the operation. He described it as
“a publicity blitz” aimed at scaring immigrant communities rather than improving public safety.
Awawdeh also pointed out how Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made a public spectacle of the raid by wearing body armor and sharing images of the operation online.
“No matter how the Trump administration spins this enforcement, it is not about public safety—it is about instilling fear in our immigrant communities.”
What Happens Next?
The Bronx ICE raid is just one of many immigration enforcement actions taking place across major cities. With deportations increasing and raids becoming more publicized, many undocumented immigrants in New York City remain on edge, unsure of what the future holds.
While city officials emphasize their commitment to public safety, immigrant advocacy groups argue that these raids are disproportionately affecting law-abiding families who contribute to society.
As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, one thing is clear—fear is growing among many immigrant communities, and the impacts of these raids will be felt far beyond Tuesday’s early-morning operation in the Bronx.
