Immigration Advocates say 40 people in and around the City have been arrested by Federal Authorities as part of Nationwide crackdown on the Immigrant Communities.
Federal Immigration and Customs Enfocement (ICE) confirmed the number of arrests.
The New York Immigration Coalition says Raids were conducted last week in five other States as well.
The Coalition also released a document from ICE, which it describes as a "leaked memo," but the Federal Agency has since confirmed its accuracy and it appears the document is a draft fact sheet, written to accompany a Press Release and other materials that will be released to the media this week.
According to the ICE memo, the Operation “targeted public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, and individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who have re-entered the country after being deported and and immigration fugitives ordered deported by federal immigration judges.”
The Mayor's office says it has received reports about Immigration Enforcement activity in the City, and that it is closely monitoring the situation.
The Mayor says City officials and the New York Police Department (NYPD) will not act as Immigration Agents and should never ask New Yorkers about their Immigration Status.
Hundreds rallied at Washington Square Park yesterday against the Trump Administration's Immigration policies.
The crackdown was a centerpiece of his Campaign, but it is unclear these actions are coming directly from the President.
Five people at the rally were arrested after protests became violent.
The Legal Aid Society is offering assistance to people impacted by the raids.
You can call its hotline at 844-955-3425, or visit its website.
The organization has attorneys that can speak multiple languages.
In the wake of increased Immigration Enforcement, Activists say many of the City's Immigrants are afraid of being detained.
The Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, Steven Choi, says it is important that Immigrants who are detained by Federal Agents should demand a Lawyer and know their Rights.
"The ability to have a lawyer — quality legal representation, makes a huge difference in the outcome in their case. And so I think the good thing here in New York City there are significant resources. There are a lot of organizations that are able to provide that."
The Mayor's Office says Immigrants who need help can contact 311 for Legal Services.
“We are horrified and angered by the ICE raids and activity in the greater New York area that has led to the arrest and detainment of 40 people,”Steve Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition said in a statement. “Shame on ICE for putting New York’s immigrant communities – four million strong – in a state of panic. These arrests do nothing but tear families apart, hobble our economies, and corrode the bonds of trust that tie our communities together – all under the false pretense of “public safety.”
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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