Community Criminal Justice Politics Race

Immigrant raids: ‘People don’t want to risk it’

By Denise Velazquez

The man and woman were scribbling down orders and handing Mexican take-out to customers at their food truck.

When she heard this reporter say “immigration,” her demeanor changed. Her smile disappeared. She scanned her surroundings.  

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. 

Across New York City, it’s not uncommon for Hispanic immigrants to shy away from talking about what’s happening as U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement targets people like them. What’s happening has changed what they do every day, some say.

 “I like to go out and play with my friends and family, but with the current situation, I feel more aware of my surroundings,” Eric Estrada said. Carrying a partly deflated soccer ball whose exterior was flaking off, he was returning home to Queens after playing soccer with friends on a Thursday at Brooklyn Piers.  He’s a U.S. citizen. His parents are not.

In June, his family woke to the sound of banging on the front door of their home in Corona, where 78% of residents are Hispanic. Looking out the window, he saw uniformed ICE agents. “It’s scary waking up to immigration officers wanting to rip your parents away from you.” 

Unlike that teenager, some people won’t give their names as they give their opinions. 

The owner of a Mexican food truck usually parked around New York University’s campus said his business has been affected by what’s going on. “I lost a lot of customers at the peak of ICE raids happening here,” said the man, adding that he cooks his grandmother’s recipe. 

Like many immigrants, he is scared of being detained even if he has no previous criminal history. “Even though I’m in the process of getting papers, I still have to take precautions,” he said. “People don’t want to risk it and would rather stay home.”

A July 14 headline in The City read, “NYC Immigration Arrests Just Shot Through the Roof, New Data Shows.” 

“On the week of June 2 alone, 299 people with only civil immigration violations were arrested. On June 3 and 4, when agents targeted immigrants at mandatory check-ins, ICE arrested 231 immigrants — including 193, or 84%, with no criminal records or charges.”