According to New York Post just before sunrise on Tuesday, federal agents clad in tactical gear stormed apartment buildings in the Bronx, kicking off the first major immigration enforcement operation of Donald Trump’s second term. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—wearing a protective vest and flanked by ICE officers—personally oversaw the raids, later boasting on social media about the arrest of a “criminal alien” wanted for kidnapping, assault, and burglary .
The targets? Migrants accused of violent crimes, including a Dominican national wanted via Interpol for a double homicide in his home country and Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member linked to an armed home invasion in Colorado. Neighbors described agents smashing doors with crowbars and shackling suspects, leaving families terrified.
“Everybody is asking: *Who else are they coming for?*” one Bronx resident told reporters.
By the Numbers: A Nationwide Surge
- **1,179 arrests** nationwide on Monday alone—a sharp spike from the Biden-era average of 311 daily.
- **853 detainers** issued as ICE ramps up operations in sanctuary cities like NYC, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
- **Two priorities**: Public safety threats first, but Trump’s new rules allow agents to arrest *anyone* without legal status encountered during raids—a reversal of Biden’s ban on “collateral arrests”.
No More Safe Zones: Churches, Schools, Courthouses Now Fair Game
Trump’s DHS has scrapped decades-old guidelines barring ICE from operating in “sensitive locations.” Agents can now pursue targets in churches, hospitals, and schools—a move advocates warn will deter migrants from seeking medical care or reporting crimes. Secretary Noem defended the policy, framing it as critical to “making our streets safe” .
But critics call it a **fear tactic**. “This isn’t about public safety. It’s about instilling terror in immigrant communities,” said Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition. Even Mayor Eric Adams, who pledged to cooperate on deporting violent criminals, faces backlash for balancing “sanctuary city” rhetoric with quiet collaboration. The NYPD insists it won’t assist in *civil* immigration enforcement, but officers embedded in federal task forces are aiding criminal investigations.
The raids are just the opening salvo in Trump’s promised **mass deportation campaign**. Border czar Tom Homan has warned that ICE will “open the aperture” to target broader populations over time . Meanwhile, Democrats and activists are mobilizing:
- NYC Comptroller Brad Lander condemned the raids as a “family separation policy” .
- The ACLU is suing over Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship.
- Congress plans to grill Mayor Adams and other sanctuary city leaders in February hearings.
The Big Picture: Safety vs. Sanctuary
While Noem and Trump tout the arrests of “dirtbags” as a public safety win, the collateral damage is already clear. Undocumented New Yorkers—including street vendors and families—are hiding in fear, unsure if they’ll be swept up next. “People will stop accessing services they desperately need,” warned advocate Rosanna Eugino .
What’s next?
More raids, more lawsuits, and a deepening divide over how America enforces its borders. As one Bronx resident put it: “They’re going to get due process… *but at what cost?” .
*For ongoing updates, subscribe to this Substack. Read the full ICE arrest reports [here]
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