Miami, FL, USA - July 16, 2015: US Customs and Border Protection Declaration document

Federal Immigration Raids Target Criminal Migrants in NYC: Community Reactions and Legal Implications

Federal immigration authorities conducted a series of raids across New York City this week, targeting and apprehending criminal illegal immigrants in an effort to enhance public safety. Many residents have expressed relief over the removal of individuals tied to violent crime, particularly those associated with organized gangs.

One of the most significant arrests involved 26-year-old Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, a known member of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. Authorities from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations took him into custody in the Bronx. Zambrano-Pacheco is wanted in Aurora, Colorado, on charges of first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm stemming from an August 18 incident, where he and five other armed men allegedly forced their way into an apartment at gunpoint.

His arrest occurred during an early morning raid at an Ogden Avenue apartment complex, located directly across the street from a public school. Federal officials carried out similar operations in other parts of the Bronx and Queens. These sweeps came amid a shift in voter sentiment in New York City, particularly in the Bronx, where former President Donald Trump’s support reportedly increased by 11% in 2024 compared to the previous election.

Local residents largely supported the crackdown. One individual told Fox News that he had considered reporting the occupants of the raided apartment to immigration authorities himself. “I was planning on calling ICE, but they got here before I could. There were 15 people living in a one-bedroom apartment, constantly doing drugs right in front of the building,” he claimed. He also alleged that they were squatting in the building and had completely destroyed the unit they occupied.

Evelyn Brown, an 80-year-old Bronx resident originally from Jamaica, expressed relief at the enforcement efforts. “Get them off the street! People shouldn’t have to walk around in fear,” she told the New York Post. “Take the bad ones away!”

Federal agencies, including the DEA and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), released images from the raids, reinforcing their message of prioritizing public safety. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present for the operations, emphasizing that the focus was on removing violent criminals. She also criticized New York City’s sanctuary city laws, which prevent local law enforcement from coordinating with ICE and require the city to provide shelter to migrants.

“We are targeting the worst of the worst—the ones who make our streets dangerous,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “The community is safer now. That’s the reality of it.”

The crackdown has also drawn support from local political figures. Tyreek Goodman, a Bronx County Conservative Party member and city council candidate, noted that the rise in gang violence had created a climate of fear. “There’s been a lot of crimes on the subway committed by people who weren’t supposed to be here,” he said. “To keep our people safe, we must stand with law enforcement.”

Similarly, Ramses Frías, a Queens activist and city council candidate, acknowledged the community’s support for the raids. “Many residents, including both immigrants and citizens, welcome ICE coming in and removing criminals from our neighborhoods,” Frías told Fox News Digital. “People want law and order and safe streets.”

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn, applauded the enforcement actions, saying that the Trump administration was moving swiftly to clear New York City of dangerous foreign criminals and gangs. “These groups have wreaked havoc over the past four years, committing thousands of crimes, including robberies, sex crimes, assaults on NYPD officers, and even murder,” she stated.

However, not everyone is in favor of the federal intervention. New York City Council Member Alhea Athens, a Democrat, raised concerns about the manner in which the raids were conducted. “It is disheartening and unacceptable that community members are being removed from their homes without due process or transparency,” she posted on social media, emphasizing the need to protect families and uphold human rights.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also issued a statement expressing her concerns. She warned state and local law enforcement officials to adhere to sanctuary city policies and ensure that residents’ rights were not being violated. “My office is aware of the increased presence of ICE across New York City,” she wrote. “We are monitoring the situation to ensure that our laws are being respected and people’s rights are protected.”

These high-profile immigration enforcement actions highlight the ongoing debate over public safety, immigration policy, and federal versus local authority. For a Huntington criminal defense lawyer, these developments are particularly relevant. Legal professionals in criminal defense may see an increase in cases involving individuals facing deportation due to criminal charges, as well as those seeking legal representation to navigate complex immigration laws. As enforcement efforts ramp up, defense attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that due process rights are upheld and that individuals receive fair legal representation.

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