“They Have All the Power”: ICE Raids Target Latinos in New York and New Jersey
They have all the power – “They have all the power” – a phrase echoing the sentiments of many affected by the recent surge in immigration enforcement. A comprehensive investigation by the City Reporter reveals that 93% of ICE arrests in New York and New Jersey during the past year have targeted individuals of Latin American descent. This statistic, derived from over 1,200 lawsuits, highlights a troubling trend: while Latinos make up 66% of the undocumented population in the region, they constitute a significantly larger proportion of those detained in street raids. The findings underscore growing concerns about the disproportionate impact of these operations on Latino communities, raising questions about fairness in enforcement practices.
Swift Raids and Unseen Consequences
ICE’s enforcement tactics in the region have increasingly relied on rapid, covert raids that disrupt daily life in quiet neighborhoods. Residents report being detained in mundane moments—like grocery shopping or picking up children from sports—without prior notice. Unlike traditional methods, these raids operate with little public warning, leaving individuals caught off guard and often in a state of fear or confusion. Many detainees claim they were targeted based on appearance, with agents using discretion to decide who would be arrested, even when the person had no prior immigration violations.
Racial Bias in Enforcement Tactics
Legal documents from the lawsuits expose racial bias in ICE’s approach. In several cases, agents cited a person’s resemblance to someone with a warrant as justification for detention, even when the individual was not the target. This practice has led to sudden removals of immigrants who were unaware of their legal status, often under the cover of night. The emotional toll of such encounters is evident in reports of verbal dehumanization, including a racial slur used during an arrest. The City Reporter’s analysis of 430 street raids, tracked through lawsuits between October 2025 and March 2026, shows a clear concentration in areas where Latino residents dominate the population.
Within New York City, the number of ICE street arrests reached 81 during the review period. The Corona neighborhood in Queens emerged as the focal point, with the highest rate of such detentions among all city districts. This escalation in raids aligns with the administration’s push to intensify immigration enforcement, a strategy that has drawn criticism from legal advocates. Federal judges have increasingly challenged ICE’s methods, with one recently halting most arrests at immigration courthouses in the city. Despite these legal actions, the White House’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, has pledged to continue aggressive enforcement, similar to efforts in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago.
The rise in lawsuits reflects a broader urgency among immigrants to contest the legality of their detentions. These emergency filings, which have spiked under the second Trump administration, provide detailed accounts of raids, including locations and demographics. While the New York metro area, encompassing parts of Long Island and New Jersey, saw a dramatic increase in such cases, the lack of public awareness has allowed these operations to proceed with minimal scrutiny. The data suggests that street raids are not only more frequent but also more racially charged than administrative procedures like check-ins or court hearings, where Latinos account for just 55% of arrests.
“The evidence aligns with what New Yorkers have long suspected: ICE uses racial bias to target communities disproportionately,” said Elora Mukherjee, a law professor at Columbia University and director of its Immigrants’ Rights Clinic. “These raids create a climate of fear, where individuals are detained without clear cause, reinforcing the idea that they have all the power.”
As the debate over immigration enforcement intensifies, the focus remains on the systemic patterns revealed by the investigation. With 93% of arrests in the region targeting Latinos, the data highlights a persistent racial disparity in how immigration policies are applied. Advocates argue that these raids not only disrupt families but also erode trust in law enforcement, painting a picture of a system that prioritizes swift action over due process. The findings call for a reevaluation of ICE’s strategies, emphasizing the need for transparency and equitable treatment of all communities.
