Federal Agents Launch Unprecedented Operations in Manhattan
The stark reality hit New York City like a cold winter morning when about 20 people were arrested in the predawn operations. Federal agents spread across Manhattan in what officials described as one of the largest immigration enforcement actions in recent years. The majority of those taken into custody had criminal records, but eight did not have any prior criminal history.
This wasn’t just another routine operation. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem joined immigrant enforcement operations in New York that began Tuesday, bringing unprecedented political attention to the raids. The message was clear: sanctuary cities were no longer off-limits.
Sanctuary Policies Under Direct Attack
Under New York’s sanctuary policies, city authorities generally will only hold suspects for ICE who have been convicted of violent crimes. These protections, built over decades, suddenly found themselves in the crosshairs of federal enforcement. The Trump administration’s approach represented a fundamental shift from previous policies that respected local jurisdictions’ autonomy.
Homan vowed, “Sanctuary cities get exactly what they don’t want—more agents in the community [and] more agents in the worksite[s].” The border czar’s promise wasn’t empty rhetoric. “Sanctuary cities are now our priority. We’re gonna flood the zone.”
Massive Increase in Daily Arrests
The numbers tell a shocking story of enforcement escalation. In September 2024, the latest data available, the Biden administration arrested an average of 282 people per day. Under the new administration, that figure skyrocketed dramatically. Over the last six days, the Trump administration’s daily average is 753…