ICE Detention Surge Leaves New York’s Immigrant Communities on Edge

(NEW YORK) ICE detentions and ICE arrests in New York have surged to levels not seen in years, with totals over the last two months running four times higher than the same period in 2024 and surpassing all of last year’s numbers by early July. The spike is most visible at immigration facilities tied to the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza Way, where ICE averaged 24 arrests per weekday in June and July 2025. This local picture reflects a nationwide shift under President Trump, whose administration has sharply increased funding, staffing, and operational pressure on immigration enforcement across the United States 🇺🇸.

In raw terms, the volume and speed of removals have shifted the landscape. As of August 10, ICE was detaining five times more people on average than CBP, reversing a pre-2025 pattern in which border authorities held more people. The share of people deported within two weeks of detention reached 30% in May 2025, up from 21% in January. And in July, daily deportations hit a record, averaging nearly 1,300 removals per day, compared with fewer than 800 daily in late 2024. New York advocates say the pace is outstripping legal support and straining local safety nets.

Enforcement spike and who is being targeted

Beyond the headline numbers, who is being arrested has changed. Researchers cited data showing that 70% of those arrested had no criminal history during the June–July surge, with an even higher share in Western New York.

David Hausman of UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project says monthly immigration arrests have tripled nationwide since the inauguration, with arrests of people never charged or convicted increasing tenfold. Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition adds that many courthouse arrests are happening in New York City, often involving people who are showing up to follow court instructions or immigration hearings.

ICE detainers—a written request from ICE asking local law enforcement to hold someone for possible transfer—have spiked as well. From January 20 to July 23, 2025, ICE issued 6,025 detainers in NYC, a 400% increase when measured against the entire number issued during the Biden years (9,472 total). New York City’s sanctuary rules mean the city has honored only a handful of these detainers, declining to transfer people to ICE even when they have prior convictions or deportation orders.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, criticized sanctuary policies for releasing people with criminal histories and said DHS will keep its aggressive posture.

Funding, staffing, and policy drivers

The Trump administration’s policy and budget decisions are driving much of the shift.

• In July, ICE’s annual budget was tripled from $8 billion to $28 billion, making it the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.
• ICE has launched a large hiring push, offering signing bonuses up to $50,000 and aiming to bring on 10,000 new agents.
• In August, a pilot program that offered cash bonuses for officers tied to swift deportations was announced, then quickly withdrawn — underscoring internal pressure to move cases faster.

Shayna Kessler of the Vera Institute describes the moment as a “sweeping indiscriminate effort,” noting many detained are students, business owners, and long‑time residents with steady lives. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards reports a chilling effect across immigrant neighborhoods — fewer people at town halls and sharp drops in clinic visits — as families weigh public visibility against safety.

Community fallout and federal-local clash

For people with hearings at or near 26 Federal Plaza Way, the risk calculus has changed. Advocates say ICE detentions at or around courthouse settings have become common, and that the speed of removals is cutting off time to find lawyers or gather documents.

Legal experts worry that incentives for quick deportations and wider use of expedited removal weaken due process, raising the risk of wrongful removals. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the scale of ICE detentions in New York mirrors a broader 2025 pivot toward interior enforcement, with effects felt in schools, businesses, and places of worship.

The tug‑of‑war over detainers has deepened long‑standing sanctuary city tensions.

• Federal officials argue that refusing transfers puts public safety at risk and point to people released from local jails who later face new charges.
• Local officials and advocates counter that arrest data show a broad sweep netting mainly law‑abiding people, and they dispute any link between immigration status and crime.

The climate has also grown more heated for officers themselves: reports show assaults on ICE officers are up 830% since President Trump took office, a spike tied to rising tensions and anti‑ICE rhetoric.

The path from detention to deportation can now be measured in days, advocates say.

Typical step‑by‑step pattern reported by advocates

1. Court appearance for relief or a check‑in, followed by an arrest by ICE, even when the person is following every rule.
2. Transfer to detention and placement into expedited removal, often with limited access to counsel.
3. Fast‑tracked deportation, with 30% removed within 14 days as of May 2025.
4. Legal groups like the Vera Institute and the New York Immigration Coalition attempting to respond, but stretched by volume and speed.

While New York is a national focal point, the trend is not confined to the city or state. Similar spikes have been reported at immigration courts in Buffalo and elsewhere. As of mid‑summer, ICE detentions were far outpacing CBP custody numbers nationwide, marking a clear turn toward interior operations.

Legal and policy background

Under President Biden, ICE held fewer people and CBP handled more border activity. In 2025, with a much larger budget and a policy tilt toward arrests away from the border, ICE has moved swiftly to expand operations and personnel.

This growth includes:

• Recruitment ads with high cash bonuses.
• Increased presence at county courthouses.
• A short‑lived deportation‑bonus pilot that drew strong criticism before being withdrawn.

Looking ahead, enforcement is widely expected to remain at current levels through 2025, given funding and hiring plans. Community groups and some local officials are preparing lawsuits and public information campaigns aimed at courthouse arrests and expedited removal practices. Policy observers expect continued scrutiny, including possible congressional hearings or court challenges focused on due process.

Where to find official information and local support

For official information on custody, detainers, and removals, the Department of Homeland Security directs the public to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations page at https://www.ice.gov/ero. Local help remains limited compared with need, but immigrant families in New York are turning to the following organizations for guidance and legal referrals:

• ICE New York Field Office: 26 Federal Plaza Way, New York, NY
• NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
• New York Immigration Coalition
• Vera Institute of Justice

Key takeaways and community impact

• More ICE arrests near court buildings.
• More detainers issued, most unhonored by the city.
• Faster removals once people enter detention, with a notable share deported within two weeks.
• Increased fear in daily life — people skipping clinic visits or staying away from public meetings.

As the summer of 2025 gives way to fall, New York’s immigrant communities are bracing for what comes next — hoping the law will protect them, and knowing the clock starts ticking the moment ICE knocks.