I’ve been following immigration enforcement in New York City closely this year, and what I’ve seen unfold has been dramatic enough to reshape how many people here navigate daily life.
Over the past few months, data, firsthand accounts, and community reports all show the same trend: ICE arrests in New York City have risen sharply. The pattern is changing, affecting a larger share of the immigrant population than before. In this article, I break down the numbers, enforcement changes, who’s affected, and what it means for NYC immigration.
A Surge That Can’t Be Ignored
Since January 2025, ICE arrests across the New York area have risen dramatically, with the total number of people detained exceeding the number of arrests for all of the previous year. Reports indicate that over the first half of 2025, a growing majority of those arrested, potentially reaching 73% or higher, had no criminal convictions. Before May 2025, ICE arrests leaned heavily toward individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges. But by mid-May, something changed.
ICE agents have started appearing inside courthouses, at required check-ins, and near legal-aid offices. These are places people normally visit to follow immigration rules. This shift meant that individuals who were doing what the system asked of them suddenly found themselves detained. By the first 10 days of June, reports say ICE agents made 495 arrests. It’s more than double the number for the entire month of June the previous year…