Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem participated in a significant operation on Tuesday morning in New York City, marking the first major deportation raids under President Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown. The raids, which targeted undocumented immigrants with violent criminal records, were part of the Trump administration's initiative to deport individuals involved in serious crimes such as kidnapping, assault, and murder.
Noem, along with heavily armed federal agents, took part in the raids that began in the Bronx, specifically in the Highbridge and Ogden Avenue neighborhoods. Wearing a protective ICE vest, Noem shared images and videos of the operation on social media, describing it as a necessary step to make U.S. streets safer. "We are doing this right - doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people - making our streets safe," she wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The operation, which began early in the morning, led to the arrest of several undocumented individuals, including one with charges related to kidnapping, assault, and burglary. This individual was detained after agents executed a raid on a Bronx apartment building, which startled local residents.
"When they brought him out, he had shackles on his wrists to his feet," said a local woman who witnessed the scene. "His face had a real angry expression," she added, noting that the arrested man had never been seen entering or leaving the building before.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the raids focused on individuals with arrest warrants for serious crimes, including "murderers, kidnappers, and individuals charged with assault and burglary." A spokesperson from DHS told Fox News that the primary objective was to remove "the bad guys" from the country. The raids reflect a broader strategy under the Trump administration to target criminal migrants, including those who may have evaded detection in sanctuary cities.
These raids are part of a nationwide effort to address illegal immigration, particularly in cities that have limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has loosened restrictions that once limited deportation operations in sensitive areas like churches and courthouses, allowing ICE agents to operate more freely in urban neighborhoods. This shift has drawn mixed reactions, especially from immigrant communities who fear that such operations could lead to widespread deportations without due process.
New York City, known for its sanctuary status, has been a focal point for these federal immigration actions. Mayor Eric Adams has stated that while the city will continue to protect undocumented individuals in certain contexts, it will cooperate with ICE when it comes to criminal investigations. The NYPD sent out an internal memo reminding officers that they can partner with ICE on criminal investigations but cannot assist with federal deportations, which are civil matters under the city's sanctuary status.
On the same day as the Bronx raids, ICE reported 1,179 arrests made in a single day as part of a broader initiative that has ramped up in recent months. The agency also issued 853 detainers, which are legal orders that indicate individuals are suspected of being removable from the U.S. under immigration laws. This escalation is in line with President Trump's promise to aggressively pursue criminal migrants, as he has repeatedly stated that anyone in the U.S. illegally is "on the table" for deportation.
