Key Takeaways
• Between May 3-10, 2025, ICE arrested 422 undocumented immigrants in Houston and deported 528 people.
• Illegal evictions rise as landlords exploit immigrant tenant fears after increased ICE enforcement operations.
• Trump administration arrested 66,463 immigrants and removed 65,682 in first 100 days of 2025.
Federal Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fears of Illegal Evictions Among Immigrants
A wave of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the United States 🇺🇸 has left many immigrant communities on edge, with lawyers and advocates warning of a possible rise in illegal evictions targeting immigrants. These concerns come as federal authorities ramp up enforcement efforts, leading to thousands of arrests and deportations in cities like Houston and Nashville. The increased pressure has not only affected those directly targeted by ICE, but has also created a climate of fear that some landlords may exploit, putting immigrant tenants at risk of losing their homes without due process.
What Happened: Recent ICE Operation Details
Between May 3 and May 10, 2025, ICE, working with several federal and state agencies, carried out major enforcement actions in the Houston, Texas area and in Nashville, Tennessee. These operations resulted in:
- 422 arrests of undocumented immigrants in Houston, with 296 of those individuals having criminal records
- 528 deportations completed in one week in the Houston area
- 468 traffic stops in South Nashville, leading to 94 people being detained by ICE and many transferred to detention centers in Louisiana
These actions were part of a broader push by the Trump administration to increase immigration enforcement nationwide. According to ICE Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford, the goal was to “save taxpayers millions of dollars each year by significantly reducing the time that aliens who have exhausted due process and been ordered removed from the U.S. need to be in ICE custody.”
The operations involved multiple agencies, including:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Diplomatic Security Service
- FBI
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Texas Department of Public Safety
In Nashville, the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked closely with ICE, focusing on predominantly Latino neighborhoods. Local officials, including Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, stressed that the Metro Nashville Police Department was not involved and criticized the operations for causing “deep community harm.”
Why Are Immigrants at Risk of Illegal Evictions?
While the ICE operation itself did not directly involve evictions, lawyers and advocacy groups have raised alarms about the indirect effects. When large numbers of immigrants are detained or deported, families may suddenly lose breadwinners or find themselves unable to pay rent. In this climate, some landlords may try to force out immigrant tenants without following the legal eviction process, assuming that tenants will be too afraid to fight back or report illegal actions.
Illegal evictions occur when a landlord tries to remove a tenant without going through the proper legal steps. This can include changing locks, shutting off utilities, or threatening tenants with ICE or police action. These actions are against the law, regardless of a tenant’s immigration status.
Standard Eviction Process
In the United States 🇺🇸, the eviction process generally requires:
- Serving a Notice to Cease: The landlord must tell the tenant what behavior is causing a problem (such as not paying rent).
- Waiting Period: The landlord must give the tenant a set amount of time to fix the problem (often two months).
- Written Reminders: The landlord should provide reminders about the lease violation.
- Notice to Quit: If the problem continues, the landlord must give a formal notice telling the tenant to leave.
- Filing a Complaint: If the tenant does not leave, the landlord must file a formal eviction complaint in court.
Skipping any of these steps is illegal. Landlords cannot simply remove tenants because they suspect or know they are undocumented immigrants.
For more information on tenant rights and the eviction process, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.
Community Impact: Fear and Uncertainty
The recent ICE operation has had a chilling effect on immigrant communities. Many families are afraid to leave their homes, go to work, or send their children to school. Some are even afraid to report crimes or seek help from authorities, fearing that any contact with the government could lead to detention or deportation.
In Nashville, city officials responded by creating a “Belonging Fund” to help families affected by the ICE operation. This fund provides emergency support for housing, food, transportation, and childcare. Mayor O’Connell described the situation as causing “deep community harm,” highlighting the emotional and financial stress placed on families.
Advocacy groups have also stepped in. Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, criticized the Trump administration’s approach, saying, “This administration will have you believe that every immigrant in America is out to harm us, but that is far from the reality. The vast majority of immigrants are here because they believe in the best of America and they are here making meaningful contributions.”
Legal Protections for Immigrant Tenants
Despite the fear caused by ICE operations, immigrants have the same rights as any other tenants when it comes to housing. Landlords must follow the law, and it is illegal to evict someone without going through the proper process. This applies even if the tenant is undocumented.
Key points for immigrant tenants:
- Landlords cannot threaten to call ICE as a way to force someone out. This is considered harassment and is illegal.
- Tenants have the right to receive proper notice and to defend themselves in court before being evicted.
- Retaliatory evictions—where a landlord tries to evict someone for reporting unsafe conditions or exercising their rights—are also illegal.
If you or someone you know is facing an illegal eviction, it is important to seek legal help. Many cities have organizations that provide free or low-cost legal assistance to immigrants and tenants.
The Trump Administration’s Enforcement Strategy
Since January 2025, the Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority. In the first 100 days:
- 66,463 undocumented immigrants were arrested
- 65,682 people were removed from the country
- 75% of those arrested had criminal records
ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons reported that among those arrested were:
- 2,288 gang members from groups like Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and 18th Street
- 1,329 people accused or convicted of sex offenses
- 498 people accused or convicted of murder
- 9,639 with assault convictions or charges
- 6,398 with DWI or DUI convictions or charges
- 1,479 with weapon offense convictions or charges
The administration has also expanded the 287(g) Program, which allows local law enforcement to work with ICE. Since January 20, 2025, there have been:
- 579 pending and signed 287(g) agreements
- 444 new agreements added nationwide
Worksite enforcement has also increased, with over 1,000 arrests of undocumented workers and more than $1 million in proposed fines against businesses that hire them.
How Does This Compare to Previous Years?
The current pace of ICE arrests is much higher than during the Biden administration. In February 2025, there were about 20,000 ICE arrests—double the monthly average under President Biden in 2024, which was fewer than 10,000. However, during peak periods in late 2022 and early 2023, the Biden administration reached up to 16,000 arrests per month.
Some claims by the Department of Homeland Security about a 600% increase in arrests have been called misleading by analysts. These claims compared all ICE arrests under President Trump to only a specific type of arrest under President Biden, making the numbers seem larger than they really are.
What Are the Risks for Immigrants After an ICE Operation?
After a large ICE operation, immigrants may face several risks:
- Family separation: When a parent or breadwinner is detained or deported, families may struggle to pay rent or buy food.
- Housing insecurity: Without income, families may fall behind on rent, making them vulnerable to eviction.
- Illegal evictions: Some landlords may try to take advantage of the situation, forcing tenants out without following the law.
- Fear of reporting abuse: Immigrants may be afraid to report illegal evictions or unsafe living conditions, fearing it will draw attention to their immigration status.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these risks are especially high in communities where ICE operations are frequent and where there is little access to legal help.
What Should Immigrants and Advocates Do?
For Immigrants:
- Know your rights: Even if you are undocumented, you have the right to a legal eviction process.
- Do not open the door to ICE without a warrant signed by a judge. ICE agents may try to enter homes without proper legal documents.
- Seek legal help: Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to immigrants facing eviction or deportation.
- Document everything: Keep records of any communication with your landlord and take photos of notices or actions taken against you.
For Advocates and Community Groups:
- Educate communities about tenant rights and the legal eviction process.
- Provide resources for emergency housing, food, and legal aid.
- Work with local officials to create support funds, like Nashville’s “Belonging Fund.”
- Monitor for illegal evictions and help tenants report them to the proper authorities.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
If you are facing eviction or have questions about your rights, you can find helpful information and support at:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Tenant Rights
- Local legal aid organizations
- Immigrant advocacy groups in your city or state
If you are dealing with an eviction notice, you may also need to fill out certain forms or respond to court documents. Always use the official forms provided by your local court or housing authority. If you need help finding the right form, contact a legal aid group or visit your local courthouse.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
The recent ICE operation and the fear of illegal evictions highlight the challenges facing immigrant communities in the United States 🇺🇸. As enforcement actions increase, so do the risks for families who may already be struggling. While the law protects all tenants from illegal eviction, many immigrants may not know their rights or may be too afraid to speak up.
Advocates are calling for more education, legal support, and community resources to help immigrants stay safe and keep their homes. City officials in places like Nashville are stepping up with emergency funds, but the need is great and ongoing.
The situation remains fluid, with the Department of Homeland Security continuing to issue press releases about new enforcement actions and policy changes. For immigrants, staying informed and connected to trusted community groups is more important than ever.
Takeaways and Next Steps
- ICE operations can have far-reaching effects, including increased risk of illegal evictions for immigrants.
- Landlords must follow the law when evicting any tenant, regardless of immigration status.
- Immigrants have rights and should seek legal help if facing eviction or harassment.
- Community support and education are key to protecting vulnerable families.
- Stay informed by checking official resources and connecting with local advocacy groups.
For more information on your rights as a tenant and how to respond to eviction threats, visit the HUD Tenant Rights page.
As the United States 🇺🇸 continues to debate immigration policy and enforcement, the real-life impact on families, neighborhoods, and communities cannot be ignored. By knowing your rights and seeking help when needed, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from illegal evictions and other risks following an ICE operation.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency enforcing immigration laws, conducting arrests and deportations of unauthorized immigrants.
Illegal Evictions → Removal of a tenant without following the legal eviction process or court orders.
287(g) Program → An agreement allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement.
Notice to Quit → A formal written notice from landlord demanding tenant vacate the rental property.
Detention Centers → Facilities where immigrants are held while awaiting deportation or immigration court hearings.
This Article in a Nutshell
Recent ICE operations in Houston and Nashville have heightened fears of illegal evictions among immigrants. Thousands were arrested and deported, disrupting families and increasing housing insecurity. Legal protections exist, but many immigrants face landlord harassment and risk losing homes without due process amid rising enforcement nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
