ByEyewitness News
Thursday, January 23, 2025 6:09PM
Phil Taitt reports from Midtown.
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Federal law enforcement and ICE agents have arrested hundreds of undocumented migrants wanted for outstanding crimes in sanctuary cities, including two from New York City.
Fox News aired video of a raid that happened in Boston. There were similar scenes in Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC.
Ahead of these arrests, a Justice Department memo threatened criminal charges against state and local officials who don’t cooperate with federal immigration agents.
While New York remains a sanctuary city, the DOJ announcement left many migrants fearful.
It follows an executive order by President Donald Trump during his first hours back in office.
Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday that the Trump administration cannot force local law enforcement to assist them in detaining and deporting immigrants.
She said many of the immigration orders – which she called “the noise that is coming from Washington” — are constitutional violations.
“The president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution,” she said.
“We are willing to work with the Office of President Trump,” but will protect “the rights of vulnerable or marginalized populations, including, but not limited to the immigrant communities.”
During a town hall in Corona, Queens Wednesday night, Mayor Eric Adams addressed those concerns from community members who are now worried about deportation and ICE arrests in city schools and churches.
“Children should go to school. Those who need health care should go to hospitals,” he said. “Those who are involved in any type of interaction, where they’re victims of a crime, they should speak to law enforcement agencies. We’ve maintained that over and over again. And we are going to stand up for all New Yorkers, documented, and undocumented.”
Adams’ office says any federal immigration enforcement should be focused on the small number of people committing violent crimes.
Thursday, President Trump could sign his first piece of legislation cleared in Congress on Wednesday, requiring federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants not just for felony crimes but also minor offenses.
In New York, there are more than 400,000 undocumented immigrants.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut — plus the District of Columbia and San Francisco — are among 22 states that sued in federal court to block Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship to children of parents who are in the United States illegally.
ALSO READ | Immigrants fear Impact of President Trump’s policies
Dan Krauth reports from New York City on the fears some immigrants have of President-elect Trump’s potential immigration policies.
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