ICE Raids Strain NJ Industries Dependent on Immigrant Labor

(New Jersey) New Jersey employers that depend on immigrant labor are facing fresh disruption after a summer spike in ICE raids and a high‑profile worksite inspection in Edison. Federal data and agency statements show stepped‑up activity from late May through July 2025 across the DE–NJ–PA region, with warehouse, logistics, food distribution, construction, landscaping, hospitality, and parts of agriculture and manufacturing feeling the strain. While New Jersey’s worker‑protection rules and long‑standing immigrant trust policies remain in place, the practical effect this year is more compliance pressure on employers and growing fear among mixed‑status teams.

Edison Enforcement Action Signals Broader Worksite Risks

• On July 8, 2025, ICE and CBP conducted a joint “customs compliance” worksite inspection at Alba Wines and Spirits Warehousing and Distribution in Edison, encountering over 100 workers and arresting 20 people, five with final removal orders, according to ICE Newark’s July 14 release.
• CBP stressed its authority to make unannounced inspections at customs freight stations and bonded warehouses.
• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said it pursues worksite enforcement to ensure compliance with immigration and employment laws during such inspections.

The Edison action shows how a customs‑focused visit can still lead to on‑site immigration arrests, rippling through warehouse shifts, shipping schedules, and staffing plans. For facilities tied to port operations and bonded cargo, the message is clear: expect unannounced checks and prepare for immediate operational impact.

Arrest Surge Backed by FOIA Data

Newly released government numbers obtained via FOIA indicate a sharp rise in arrests by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in the DE–NJ–PA region:

• Arrests jumped in late May—doubling from an average of 26 per day (January 2025 through May 21) to 51 per day (May 22–June 26).
• Roughly half of recent arrestees had no criminal record or pending charges, according to the Deportation Data Project summary published July 22, 2025.
• ICE Newark emphasized removals of people with serious criminal histories, maintaining its public focus on “egregious offenders” even as broader arrest totals rose.

National context:

• In June 2025, 36,722 people were booked into ICE detention—31,607 by ICE and 5,115 by CBP—according to TRAC’s June 13, 2025 update.
  These flows suggest a sustained enforcement tempo feeding both interior and border detention in mid‑2025.

Authorities and Policy Posture in 2025

• CBP authority at bonded sites: CBP can make unannounced inspections of customs freight stations and bonded warehouses. Noncitizens found in violation during those visits may be arrested by ICE and, if subject to final orders, removed.
• HSI worksite enforcement: ICE HSI continues nationwide worksite actions that may include on‑site questioning, document reviews, and arrests where violations are found.
• Public messaging vs. data: ICE communications emphasize public safety threats and repeat re‑entrants, while FOIA‑based regional data show rising shares of arrests of people without criminal records since late May.

Why New Jersey’s Economy Feels It Now

• The Edison operation underscores the risk at port‑linked warehouses, where a worksite inspection can halt lines and unsettle entire shifts.
• The late‑May arrest acceleration increases the chance of at‑large arrests and collateral pickups during commutes or court visits, which can spike absenteeism and turnover in labor‑intensive sectors.
• National detention intake adds context: higher enforcement activity can echo through follow‑ups and interior operations across shifts and sites.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests these enforcement cycles often produce short‑term staffing gaps and longer‑term hiring challenges, especially in logistics corridors near Port Newark/Elizabeth and along the Turnpike.

Immediate Impacts on Employers and Workers

• Staffing disruption
  • On‑site arrests can cause instant gaps, production delays, and shipment backlogs.
• Compliance exposure
  • HSI may review Form I‑9 and related files; errors can lead to fines.
  • In cases of knowing employment of unauthorized workers, criminal exposure is possible.
• Worker fear
  • Reports that about half of recent arrestees had no criminal record can discourage workers from attending HR meetings, fixing E‑Verify issues, or keeping health and court appointments.
• Recruitment strain
  • Higher perceived risk can deter applicants, raising churn in already tight labor markets.

New Jersey’s immigrant trust policies and worker protections remain, but they do not block federal enforcement. The tension between state policy and federal action is now playing out on factory floors, loading docks, and job sites.

What Employers Should Expect During 2025

1. Unannounced inspections at bonded facilities
   • CBP may arrive without notice to audit customs procedures; HSI may accompany and question workers as part of worksite enforcement.
   • Officials may review access controls, bonded cargo handling, and request records. Noncitizens found “in violation” can be detained on site.
2. I‑9 and employment‑verification audits
   • HSI may issue a Notice of Inspection for Form I‑9. Employers usually have a short window to produce records.
   • Action items:
     • Keep I‑9s accurate and up to date.
     • Train staff on anti‑discrimination rules while meeting compliance duties.
     • Official form link: Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): https://www.uscis.gov/i-9
3. If agents arrive
   • Ask to see credentials and the legal authority for entry (administrative vs. judicial warrant).
   • Limit access to non‑public areas unless a judicial warrant authorizes entry.
   • Designate a point of contact to interact with agents; keep a log of names, badge numbers, and documents requested.
   • Call counsel promptly. Do not obstruct.

Important: Employers should treat CBP and HSI visits seriously and prepare for both customs audits and potential immigration enforcement. Documentation and legal counsel are critical.

Worker Guidance and Community Monitoring

• Community groups that track raids report they haven’t updated public incident maps since 2022, but they are actively monitoring trends and sharing Know‑Your‑Rights materials as of early 2025.
• These resources stress:
  • The right to remain silent.
  • The right to speak to a lawyer.
  • The difference between warrants that allow entry to non‑public areas and those that do not.
• Workers should prepare an emergency plan that includes caregiver arrangements and wage‑claim information, stored in a safe place.

Stakeholders and Their Positions

• Federal agencies: ICE HSI Newark and CBP are conducting joint actions, stressing customs compliance and immigration enforcement at New Jersey worksites.
• Data and oversight groups: The Deportation Data Project’s FOIA‑based reporting on the late‑May arrest surge—and the rise in non‑criminal arrests—frames the public debate over scope and priorities.
• Civil society and legal advocates: Groups such as the Immigrant Defense Project continue training efforts and caution against deceptive tactics, while urging workers and employers to prepare.

Outlook for the Rest of 2025

• Expect continued joint CBP–HSI attention at supply‑chain nodes, notably bonded warehouses and logistics providers tied to Port Newark/Elizabeth.
• If the late‑May regional arrest pace holds, employers should plan for recurring at‑large operations and more on‑site encounters, with wider effects on labor supply and scheduling.
• Advocates are likely to expand training, FOIA requests, and possible litigation aimed at transparency around arrest goals and operational priorities.

Practical Resources

• Official worksite enforcement overview: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Worksite Enforcement: https://www.ice.gov/topics/worksite-enforcement
• ICE Tip Line: 866‑DHS‑2‑ICE (866‑347‑2423)

Prepared employers can limit chaos when enforcement activity spikes. Recommended actions:

• Keep I‑9 files current and document corrections.
• Train front‑line managers on compliance and non‑discrimination.
• Map public vs. non‑public areas and establish a designated point of contact for agents.
• Build contingency staffing plans and communicate clearly with crews.

For workers, trusted legal help and solid Know‑Your‑Rights information can reduce panic, support safer choices, and help preserve basic immigrant trust inside New Jersey’s diverse workplaces.