New York, Jan 25, (V7N) - Federal law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have arrested nearly 538 undocumented immigrants across seven U.S. states in a three-day operation. Additionally, 373 people were detained. Some of those arrested face charges related to various crimes in New York and New Jersey cities.
 
Among those arrested in New York is a member of the MS-13 gang from El Salvador, who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor. Another arrest involved a citizen of Honduras charged with driving under the influence. Similar arrests occurred in Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, and Washington D.C.
 
New York’s Attorney General Letitia James stated that the Trump administration cannot force local law enforcement to detain or deport immigrants. She emphasized, “The president cannot unilaterally change the constitution. We are willing to work with President Trump’s office, but we will protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities, including immigrants.”
 
New York City schools issued a notice stating that ICE agents will not be allowed to enter schools under any circumstances. After taking office, President Donald Trump signed 100 executive orders, some of which were directly anti-immigrant. He closed the path for political asylum in the U.S. and signed an order that sparked nationwide debate, stating that children born to undocumented parents in the U.S. would not automatically be granted citizenship. However, a federal court temporarily suspended this executive order. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John K. Kufner in Washington State issued the suspension after an appeal from Washington’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The court described the order as “completely unconstitutional.” Similar hearings were held in Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon regarding the cancellation of birthright citizenship.
 
Mayor Adams of a Queens city stated, “Children will go to school. Those who need healthcare will go to the hospital. Those who are victims of crimes will speak with law enforcement. We will stand for everyone, both documented and undocumented.” Currently, there are around 400,000 undocumented immigrants in New York.
 
In Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka reported that ICE agents conducted an operation on Thursday. The ICE agents detained both undocumented residents and ordinary citizens without showing any warrants at a local establishment. Baraka said, “Our city will not tolerate this illegal terrorism against our people.”
 
Additionally, 22 states, along with Washington D.C. and San Francisco, have filed lawsuits in federal court against Trump’s orders to challenge the decision to deny citizenship to undocumented immigrant children.
 
END/SMA/NYC/AJ/