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Nearly 500 Undocumented Migrants Arrested in Nationwide ICE Raids, Including MS-13 Member in New York
(TJV) Federal law enforcement, in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, has arrested nearly 500 undocumented migrants across sanctuary cities, including three high-profile arrests in New York. The raids, which took place in cities such as Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, and Miami, are part of an intensified federal campaign targeting undocumented individuals with outstanding criminal charges, according to ABC News.
In New York, ICE agents apprehended three individuals wanted for serious crimes: an alleged MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, a Jamaican citizen previously arrested for the sexual exploitation of a minor, and a Honduran citizen with a conviction for drunk driving. ABC News notes that these arrests are emblematic of a broader effort to detain individuals in sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Similar scenes played out in cities such as Atlanta, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., where ICE targeted undocumented migrants with outstanding warrants, many of whom were linked to violent or exploitative crimes, according to ABC News.
The federal crackdown has reignited debates over the role of sanctuary cities, with the Justice Department issuing a memo threatening criminal charges against state and local officials who refuse to cooperate with ICE. In New York, Attorney General Letitia James pushed back against the Trump administration’s pressure, asserting that such orders are unconstitutional.
As reported by ABC News, James stated, “The president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution. We are willing to work with the Office of President Trump but will protect the rights of vulnerable or marginalized populations, including, but not limited to, immigrant communities.”
New York City schools and the NYPD have reinforced policies designed to shield undocumented residents from federal enforcement. Internal memos obtained by ABC News explicitly instruct schools not to allow ICE agents inside their facilities under any circumstances. Similarly, the NYPD issued guidance to officers, advising them not to assist with federal immigration operations.
During a town hall meeting in Corona, Queens, on Wednesday night, Mayor Eric Adams addressed concerns raised by members of the immigrant community. According to ABC News, Adams urged residents not to panic or retreat from public life.
“Children should go to school. Those who need health care should go to hospitals,” the mayor said. “Those who are victims of crimes should speak to law enforcement agencies. We’ve maintained that over and over again, and we are going to stand up for all New Yorkers—documented and undocumented.”
The tension between federal enforcement and local sanctuary policies has reached a boiling point. As ABC News highlights, the Trump administration’s aggressive approach has been met with resistance from state and city leaders, who argue that these actions undermine public trust and violate constitutional protections.
For now, New York officials, including Attorney General James and Mayor Adams, remain steadfast in their defense of immigrant rights. The community, however, continues to grapple with the fear and uncertainty brought on by these sweeping raids, as documented by ABC News.
