NY communities get resources, help to prepare for ICE raids

Press Clip Source: PNS

TRAC Reports finds there are 65,135 in ICE detention according to data current as of November 16, 2025. Of that number, 73.6% in ICE detention have no criminal conviction with many of those convicted having committed minor offenses, like traffic violations. (Adobe Stock)

New York communities are getting help to prepare for immigration raids. The Deportation Data Project finds more than 7,200 people have been detained under the Trump Administration’s policies this year. Some arrests are being carried out at people's homes, but others are taking place at workplaces, courthouses, and community centers. Some groups are helping immigrant communities prepare for raids.

Roz Lee, head of Mission U.S. with Nonviolent Peaceforce, said rather than be reactive, communities must be proactive.

"Proactively being prepared to de-escalate situations," she said. "Proactively being present and of support to their fellow community members, finding themselves confronted by challenging conditions."

Other advice for community members includes knowing their rights. Some states also have laws in place to protect immigrants. New York’s Protect Our Courts Act shields immigrants from warrantless ICE arrests while attending court proceedings. Though the Justice Department sued to stop the law from being enacted, it lost as the courts found the law constitutional.

There are some ways to predict when a raid might be coming. Lee noted states with large immigrant populations will be targeted for ongoing immigration raids. Other signs a raid is coming might be news reports and announced information, which can help a community know when to prepare. Lee said having a response system can help immigrants when a raid is coming.

"Being able to inform community members to keep themselves safe," she continued. "Sometimes, keeping themselves safe means not showing up at the Home Depot or staying at home, and this is helping community members help themselves because our approach is communities keep themselves safe."

Nonviolent Peaceforce is active in New York and California; raids have taken place in many states across the nation. New Orleans is the latest city, with ICE saying there is a goal to arrest 5,000 people during the two month operation. Lee said the group needs more resources to help communities as more raids are expected throughout the holidays and into 2026.