(CATO, CAYUGA COUNTY) New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned federal immigration raids that swept through upstate workplaces last week, saying they harmed families and local businesses without making communities safer. The largest operation struck Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato on September 4, 2025, where immigration agents arrested 57 workers, including parents of at least a dozen school-age children and six mothers with infants under one year old.
The action, supported by Homeland Security Investigations and local police, was part of a broader set of immigration raids that the federal government has promised will continue in the region. Hochul said the raids were “cruel” and vowed the state would push back on operations that separate families or target people with no criminal record.
Governor’s Response and State Policy
Hochul called the raids “cruel,” adding:
“Today’s raids will not make New York safer. What they did was shatter hard-working families who are simply trying to build a life here, just like millions of immigrants before them. These actions fly in the face of New York’s values. As Governor, I will always stand against this cruelty.”
Her office said:
– The state will continue cooperating with federal authorities on serious crimes.
– The state will not support actions that separate families or target individuals with no criminal history.
– The Governor warned that children could return from school to empty homes—a fear confirmed in several reported cases.
Federal officials defended the raids. Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone said workplace operations were intended to:
– Uphold immigration laws
– Protect American workers
– Address identity theft and labor exploitation
He added that more enforcement actions are expected in upstate New York. The Department of Homeland Security has not released the full list of charges tied to the Cato operation. In similar raids, some people face civil immigration violations while others are charged with illegal re-entry after removal.
Numbers and Trends Driving the Debate
The arrest total in Cato reflects a broader rise in enforcement since President Trump returned to the White House in 2025.
Key data points:
– Monthly immigration arrests nationwide have tripled this year.
– Arrests of people never charged with or convicted of a crime have increased tenfold.
– ICE arrests in New York quadrupled in June and July 2025 compared with the same months in 2024.
– By early July 2025, the year-to-date total in New York had already surpassed the entire 2024 count.
– As of August 24, 2025, ICE held 61,226 people in detention; 43,021 (about 70.3%) had no criminal convictions.
– In recent New York arrests, roughly 70% of those detained had no criminal record; the share was slightly higher in Western New York.
These figures shape public reaction and policy disputes across communities.
Community Impact and Local Response
Advocacy groups—including the Workers Center of Central New York and several legal aid organizations—say the raids are:
– Sweeping up long-settled workers
– Separating families
– Spreading fear throughout communities
Reports from attorneys and caseworkers indicate:
– Some immigrants are skipping routine check-ins fearing detention.
– Relatives and neighbors rushed to arrange temporary childcare.
– In some instances, breastfeeding infants were separated from detained mothers.
– Detainees were processed at holding sites and some moved out of state to larger detention centers.
Local institutions responded quickly:
– Schools, churches, and community groups checked on children and families.
– Food drives, rides to court hearings, and “know your rights” sessions were organized.
– Employers—like Nutrition Bar Confectioners—face production losses and supply-chain delays because trained staff are hard to replace.
Legal Paths and Alternatives to Detention
Possible legal processes for those arrested:
1. Expedited removal — a fast-track deportation process often resulting in quick return if no claim to stay exists.
2. Criminal prosecution — e.g., for re-entry after prior deportation.
3. Alternatives to Detention (ATD) — use of ankle monitors, phone check-ins, or smartphone apps.
Notable data:
– As of August 23, 2025, 11,743 people in New York were in monitoring programs.
– ICE says monitoring tools help track people through immigration cases.
– Critics counter that monitors and check-ins create fear and interfere with work and family life.
Enforcement tactics have shifted:
– ICE agents increasingly wear face coverings and plain clothes, raising transparency and due-process concerns among attorneys.
– Detainees from workplace operations are usually processed first for civil immigration violations.
– Identity-related charges may be added if investigators allege false Social Security numbers or borrowed identities were used.
For more on ICE operations, see official materials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Stakeholder Positions
- Federal officials: Argue workplace operations are necessary to enforce the law and deter identity fraud.
- State leaders (including Hochul): Say they will assist in removing violent offenders but oppose broad sweeps that take away parents and chill cooperation with police.
- Advocacy organizations: Call the raids indiscriminate and warn they push people into the shadows.
Policy experts emphasize limits on federal options. David Hausman (UC Berkeley Law) notes most noncitizens lack criminal records, making mass deportation promises focused only on criminals “impossible to keep.” Detention data showing a majority without criminal convictions reinforces this point.
Practical Consequences and Preparedness
If more workplace raids occur, systems will face strain:
– Court calendars and detention capacity could be overwhelmed.
– Local support networks (childcare, legal aid, counselors) will be taxed.
– Employers worry about sudden labor shortages affecting local economies.
– School districts plan for increased emergency counseling.
Immediate steps for families (recommended):
– Keep key documents in a safe, easy-to-grab folder (passports, birth certificates, medical papers).
– Prepare a childcare consent form and a list of emergency contacts in case a parent is detained.
– Attend local “know your rights” sessions and save numbers for trusted legal aid and community groups.
– If approached by agents, remember the right to remain silent and to request a lawyer.
Legal help and resources:
– Immigrant Defense Project “Know Your Rights” guides: Immigrant Defense Project (Know Your Rights)
– Arrest, detention, and case outcome data: TRAC Immigration Quick Facts
Human Toll and Community Action
The human toll is central to the debate. Families describe:
– Children fearful of a knock at the door
– Parents carrying documents and emergency contacts to work
– Employers struggling to keep production lines running
Community responses:
– Churches coordinate rides to court appearances (e.g., Buffalo and Batavia)
– Volunteers stock pantry shelves and offer practical support
– Legal aid groups host sessions explaining detainees’ rights and next steps
Where Things Stand Politically
New York’s leadership intends to draw a line between public safety and family unity:
– Hochul promises cooperation on deporting violent criminals while resisting actions that target non-criminal parents and workers.
– This stance aligns with New York’s sanctuary framework that persisted through the Biden years and into 2025.
Federal leaders under President Trump argue forceful worksite operations are needed to deter unlawful hiring and uphold the rule of law. Both sides claim safety is their goal; both point to different priorities and definitions of community protection.
Contact and Final Notes
- New York Governor’s Press Office (NYC): (212) 681-4640 for official statements.
Families and employers want clarity on:
– Who is prioritized for arrest
– Where detainees are held
– How long cases may take
Many hope for consistent rules that let parents get to work, children get to school, and local factories fulfill orders without the fear of another dawn raid. For now, enforcement is rising and the divide over how to carry it out in the United States is deepening. 🇺🇸
This Article in a Nutshell
Federal immigration agents arrested 57 workers at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato on September 4, 2025, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to condemn the raids as “cruel” and vow to resist operations that separate families or target individuals without criminal records. The operation, supported by Homeland Security Investigations and local police, reflects a broader rise in enforcement under the 2025 administration: nationwide monthly arrests tripled and ICE detentions in New York spiked, with about 70% of detainees lacking criminal convictions as of August 24. The raids disrupted families, forced rapid childcare arrangements, and created labor shortages for employers. Advocates organized legal aid, food drives, and “know your rights” sessions. Officials remain divided—federal authorities cite law enforcement and identity-fraud prevention, while state leaders prioritize family unity and targeted prosecution of violent offenders. Alternatives to detention exist, but critics say monitoring tools and covert tactics raise transparency and due-process concerns. The events have heightened community preparedness needs and intensified the political debate over enforcement priorities.
