Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified operations, making a total of 538 arrests, with an average of over 450 arrests daily in 2023. The recent raids, particularly in Newark, New Jersey, have sparked outrage among local lawmakers and community leaders. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka vehemently criticized an immigration raid conducted in the city without a warrant, which resulted in the detainment of undocumented residents and citizens alike. Among those detained was a U.S. military veteran who faced the indignity of having his military documentation questioned by officers.
The detentions have drawn condemnation from various New Jersey lawmakers, including U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who described the situation as disgraceful.
"This is a disgrace," she declared, further adding, "This is what we expect from two-bit dictators in banana republics."
Mayor Baraka's remarks emphasized the constitutional violation of the raids.
"This egregious act is in plain violation of the fourth amendment of the US constitution, which guarantees ‘the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures’," he stated.
Local advocates and leaders across the United States have been bracing for these raids. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice has urged residents to attend "know your rights" workshops to better prepare and protect themselves. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson collaborates with community groups to educate residents about their rights, especially as more than 50,000 individuals, primarily from Venezuela, have arrived in the city over the past two years.
The Trump administration's immigration policies have placed sanctuary cities like Newark under increased scrutiny. Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, has promised that the federal government will uphold Trump's commitment to "mass deportations," targeting these cities early on.
"Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized," affirmed Mayor Baraka.
Despite repeated inquiries from media outlets, ICE has not provided specific details on when and where the arrests occurred across the United States.
"Already, Trump’s attacks on immigrant communities are hitting home and we will not back down," remarked LaMonica McIver, emphasizing the determination of those opposing these federal actions.