January 30, 2025
Massive deportation sweeps for undocumented migrants began this week in NYC. Armed personnel, some in military attire, were accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as their op targeted Upper Manhattan and the Bronx early Tuesday morning. Arrests were made in both areas, and reportedly included a man wanted in the Dominican Republic in connection with two murders there.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, photo via @Sec_Noem
The sight of militarized police conducting sweeps in our predominantly Hispanic community was shocking, as intended. The administration’s “Border Czar,” Tom Homan, has used the expression, “shock and awe” to describe his plans. The phrase is taken from the invasion of Iraq by former President George W. Bush, and specifically with the devastating bombing of its capital, Baghdad that launched that war and eventually led to thousands of civilian deaths. While the “troops” conducting sweeps here this week are not U.S. Military, their appearance in gear associated with soldiers creates a degree of ambiguity that may become a factor in the future. Generally, active duty U.S. military personnel cannot be used for domestic law enforcement under the Posse Comitatus Act, although some exceptions exist and troops can also “support” civilian law enforcement agencies.
photo via @DEANEWYORKDiv
The Trump Administration recently issued a directive for ICE to arrest at least 1,200 a day going forward and said managers would be held accountable for missing those targets, according to a report in the Washington Post. Questions about how the arrestees will be processed and where they will be housed are swirling. Information about how many “collateral arrests” vs how many wanted criminals were apprehended remains elusive.
photo via @DEANEWYORKDiv
Inwood’s Congressional Representative Adriano Espaillat and other local elected officials announced a “Know Your Rights Forum” livestream on social media.
This is a developing story.
Title photo: @DEANEWYORKDiv
