NEW YORK — In the early morning hours, immigration officers positioned their vehicles near a two-story building, with the sound of a passing subway echoing above. For nearly two hours, they watched and monitored one individual until an officer identified a potential target through the radio, signaling, “Gray hoodie. Backpack. Walking quickly.”
The target was a 23-year-old Ecuadorian man who had a history of sexual assault against a minor. The operation, led by Kenneth Genalo, the head of Enforcement and Removal Operations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York, reflects a common misconception about how immigration enforcement operates. Genalo emphasized that their strategy is one of targeted enforcement, rather than indiscriminate sweeps. “We don’t just grab people and send them to JFK for deportation,” he stated.
As Donald Trump gears up for what could be another term as President, there’s heightened anticipation regarding how he will implement his immigration policies. These include a controversial proposal for mass deportations. However, Genalo pointed out that agents such as those in New York are up against challenges, such as the sheer number of individuals already on their watchlists, which far surpasses the available manpower to address them effectively.
Under the Biden administration, deportation efforts have been primarily focused on recent border crossers and those identified as public safety threats. Tom Homan, Trump’s anticipated “border czar,” indicated a return to prioritizing criminals and individuals with judicial orders for removal, while also hinting at a broader enforcement approach that could target anyone illegally residing in the country.
The challenges are significant; there are approximately 1.4 million people with final orders of removal while ICE has only 6,000 officers dedicated to monitoring noncitizens and executing removals. The caseload has ballooned to about 7.6 million, yet the officer count has remained relatively static. In previous years, about 10% of officers were diverted to the U.S.-Mexico border when immigration surged.
According to Jason Houser, a former ICE chief of staff during the Biden administration, the current staffing levels and resources are insufficient to address both public safety threats and the broader goal of large-scale deportations. Genalo echoed this sentiment, explaining that for each targeted arrest, agents must gather intelligence, confirm legal grounds for apprehension, and successfully locate the individual, often requiring them to catch suspects in public settings.
During a recent operation involving a dozen officers, the team gathered at a White Castle parking lot in the Bronx before dawn, preparing for their mission. They were not only targeting the Ecuadorian man but also another individual with a history of sexual crimes. After tracking their subject for a while, they successfully apprehended him as he left his residence, swiftly taking him away before his family could realize what had happened.
The detainee’s wife was left in disbelief when her husband called from jail, revealing the shocking news that he was facing deportation amidst his pending criminal case. She described their life together in Ecuador, expressing her shock despite knowing there was a possibility of his deportation.
Recent statistics reveal that ICE deported over 270,000 individuals within a year, marking the highest rate in a decade. However, this figure coincided with a decline in total arrests as resources were reallocated to the border. A larger proportion of those arrested had serious criminal backgrounds, reflecting a shift in priorities.
Collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE varies widely across the country. While some cities and states actively cooperate with immigration authorities, others have adopted sanctuary policies that restrict such collaboration. New York City, under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, limited ICE’s access to jails, but current Mayor Eric Adams is considering changes, especially regarding individuals with violent crime convictions.
Genalo criticized sanctuary policies, arguing that they ultimately place communities at risk by releasing individuals who pose threats back into neighborhoods. Staffing remains a pressing issue, as he notes his team is short of the ideal number of officers required to handle their responsibilities effectively.
Immigration advocates often raise concerns about the tactics employed by ICE, particularly under the looming return of Trump to office. Many believe the administration’s posture toward public safety threats is not a significant departure from previous policies. Advocates highlight the complexities of individual cases, suggesting that people facing deportation may have committed past offenses but have since reformed.
Reflecting on past operations, Jehan Laner, a senior attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, noted the collateral detentions that occurred, where agents would apprehend more than just the intended targets. This approach, they argue, creates instability within communities. Genalo emphasized, however, that current efforts are focused solely on individuals with undeniable criminal histories, noting that his office currently monitors around 58,000 such cases.
The reality remains that the operational landscape of immigration enforcement is complicated, with significant challenges surrounding resources, priorities, and community impact. Genalo remarked, “I’m pretty sure we’re going to be tied up for a while dealing with the criminal population.”
