ICE Agents Lash Out at Immigrants in New York Raid, Call Them “Animals”

• ICE Agents Insult Immigrants
• Irregular Deportation in New York
• Outrage Grows Over Raid

The immigration raid carried out in Cato, New York, in early September continues to draw criticism after shocking footage was released.

Spectrum News 1 published bodycam recordings from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office in which ICE agents can be heard referring to immigrants as “animals.”

“They’re animals, that’s what I tell my kids all the time,” one federal officer said during the operation, according to Univisión.

The same agent recalled his experience at the McAllen, Texas, detention center—known as Ursula—where detainees were allegedly not allowed to leave their cells, make calls, or receive medical care.

Controversy Over New York Immigration Raid

ICE agents call immigrants “animals” during a raid in Cato, New York. https://t.co/lWwLVlDlfD

— Univision Nueva York (@univisionNY) September 28, 2025

The recordings also captured another mocking comment: “I thought we were a sanctuary,” made by another ICE team member during the raid.

The images have sparked outrage not only for the dehumanizing language but also for irregularities in the detention of immigrants with active legal cases.

Among those arrested in the ICE raid in New York was Hediberto Ramírez Pérez, a Guatemalan immigrant who had a valid work permit and an open immigration process.

Despite showing his documents, Ramírez was detained and later deported without being able to contact his lawyer or defend his case.

Mocking and Dehumanizing Comments

‘I’m sad and alone’: Man detained in Cato ICE raid wrongfully deported and now separated from his family https://t.co/dIjY3UY4kJ

— Daniel M. Kowalski (@dkbib) September 28, 2025

“I immediately told them I had an immigration case, that I also had work papers, and that I was working legally here. They told me: ‘We don’t care right now. You have to come with us,’” he recounted from Guatemala.

The immigrant reported that he never signed any papers nor was he informed of his rights by the ICE agents before being deported.

“I didn’t give up anything,” he insisted, stressing that he now lives separated from his wife and two children, both U.S. citizens.

His lawyer described the situation as a “human rights violation” and highlighted the severity of deporting someone with temporary legal status in such an expedited manner.

Reactions and Public Outcry

Migrant rights organizations also responded, pointing out that this case reflects a pattern of abuse and discriminatory treatment in ICE operations.

Public outrage has centered both on the agents’ verbal conduct and on actions that violate fundamental rights.

So far, ICE has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ICE raid in New York and the case of Hediberto Ramírez Pérez.

The controversy continues to grow, putting the spotlight on the actions of federal authorities in immigration enforcement.