Border Czar Announces ICE Will Intensify Operations in New York for Being a “Sanctuary City”

ICE strengthens immigration operations

Rising tensions across New York

Protests erupt after federal raids

The Trump administration announced an expansion of ICE operations across New York City due to its status as a “sanctuary city.”

The announcement comes after weeks of tension involving federal authorities, street vendors, protesters, and local officials who accuse the government of carrying out an aggressive immigration crackdown.

ICE Operations Increase Tension in New York

»WE’RE COMING TO NEW YORK CITY»

White House Border Czar @RealTomHoman talks about plans to ramp up I.C.E. operations in the Big Apple.@FoxNews | @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/OjHBvcmhC3

— America’s Newsroom (@AmericaNewsroom) November 18, 2025

President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed Tuesday that the administration will increase federal presence in the city.

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“We’re increasing police presence again in New York because it’s a sanctuary city and we know we have a problem. There are public safety threats on the streets every day,” Homan said on Fox & Friends.

The administration has conducted immigration raids across multiple cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington as part of its national enforcement strategy.

Federal Presence Expands Across the City

Organizations in #NewYork are preparing for the arrival of immigration operations by #ICE
#LaVozDeLaMañana #Noticias247 #Interview #Immigration #USA #ICE
For more news: https://t.co/jlbjguiyto pic.twitter.com/GRKah71ExZ

— NoticiasUnivision247 (@Univision247) November 19, 2025

Homan said that both he and President Trump are willing to talk with local authorities, but he called on so-called sanctuary cities to cooperate, arguing that the lack of coordination puts federal agents at risk.

“We would rather work with these sanctuary cities than keep putting our officers in serious danger,” he added, according to the outlet Mirror.

His comments deepen the clash with local leaders, who have repeatedly stated that New York will maintain its immigrant-protection policies.

Recent ICE operations in New York spark tension and protests

The announcement comes just one month after a large group of federal agents questioned street vendors on Canal Street in Manhattan.

The operation immediately triggered protests in the area, where demonstrators accused agents of intimidation and excessive use of force.

According to federal authorities, 14 people were arrested during that operation, including immigrants and protesters who tried to block the detentions.

The Department of Homeland Security said it was a targeted enforcement action focused on the alleged sale of counterfeit goods.

Acting ICE director Todd Lyons defended the operation and stated that it was “without a doubt intelligence-driven.”

“It’s not random. We’re not stopping people at random on the street,” he told Fox News in October.

Despite those assurances, some vendors viewed the operation as indiscriminate and disproportionate, further inflaming tensions between immigrant communities and federal authorities.

Arrest of local official intensifies the debate

A month before that ICE operation, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested while protesting conditions at an immigrant detention center.

Lander, the city’s chief financial officer and an ally of mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, chose to take his case to trial instead of accepting a deal that would have dropped the charges after six months.

“I want a trial,” he said after his arrest.

He vowed to continue protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and argued that the judicial process would “bring to light” the actions of federal authorities.

Lander’s case has become a political symbol for groups who believe the raids are violating civil rights and are being used to intimidate dissent.