According to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Sunday, January 26, saw the highest number of alleged undocumented immigrants detained in the United States since Trump took office less than a week prior. More than 956 migrants were arrested in raids conducted by ICE in major cities across the United States. Over 1,000 were detained in raids in the days leading up to Sunday.
The raids came as Trump expanded ICE agents’ detention powers. In his first week in office, Trump signed hundreds of executive orders, which have now allowed ICE to make arrests in previously off-limits locations, including churches, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The weekend’s biggest raids occurred in Miami, Newark, and Chicago.
Trump’s executive orders have also enabled ICE to detain people with less caution. Reports of US citizens – including Native Americans – being arrested by border patrol have surged. In Arizona and New Mexico, tribal leaders have reported at least 15 registered members of their nations being stopped, harassed, and, in some cases, even arrested by ICE. Arizona Senator Theresa Hatathlie publicly questioned the legality of the events, which led to multiple members of the Navajo Nation being detained for hours without access to their phones.
“If you can’t say, ‘We’ve been here for time immemorial,’ then you’re an immigrant,” she said. “You’re not from here, so who are you to classify our Indigenous people? These lands have been a melting pot for many ethnicities. It’s too kind to say it’s racism or discrimination. It’s disrespect for humanity.”
In Miami, one man watched as ICE took his wife, who was in the final stages of legally obtaining her citizenship. “They just came and snatched her,” he reported to the BBC.
In Newark, a US citizen and military veteran was among one of the people detained in a raid on a local business. Mayor Ras Barka condemned ICE for their arrests, which were done without the permit of a search warrant. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized,” she said.
Anyone, regardless of their citizenship status, has the right to remain silent when questioned by ICE and to request the assistance of an attorney before speaking with ICE agents. Agents must present a signed search warrant before entering the property unless permitted by residents. All citizens have a right to film ICE raids as they happen and are encouraged to do so to provide evidence for anyone falsely detained.
