U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid at a Newark, New Jersey worksite on Thursday, detaining undocumented migrants and American citizens. This comes as President Donald Trump escalates efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration through a series of newly signed executive orders.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has condemned the raid, calling it unconstitutional. “This operation violated the rights of our citizens under the U.S. Constitution,” Baraka said, emphasizing that one of the detainees was a U.S. military veteran whose documents were questioned. Newark, a sanctuary city known for its immigrant-friendly policies, has promised to stand firm against federal enforcement actions.
A Surge in Immigration Raids
The raid, described by ICE as a “targeted enforcement operation,” marks one of the first major actions following Trump’s second-term inauguration. Agents reportedly detained both undocumented individuals and U.S. citizens during the operation, raising questions about the legality and methodology of the enforcement.
According to ICE, agents requested identification to confirm individuals’ statuses during the raid. However, Mayor Baraka criticized the lack of a warrant and the overall conduct of the agents, vowing, “Newark will not stand idly by while people are unlawfully terrorized.”
The name of the business where the raid occurred has not been disclosed, but ICE has announced an internal investigation into the incident.
Trump’s Executive Orders and Nationwide Crackdown
Since returning to office, President Trump has made immigration reform a central focus, signing executive orders aimed at accelerating deportations and penalizing sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed the arrest of 538 individuals during raids conducted this week, including alleged members of a Venezuelan prison gang and individuals convicted of serious crimes.
Leavitt has praised the actions, calling the detainees “illegal immigrant criminals,” but critics argue these sweeping operations undermine due process and create a climate of fear.
Sanctuary Cities Under Pressure
Newark, among many other sanctuary cities, has long limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented residents. Mayor Baraka has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policies, dating back to the former president’s first term.
Studies consistently show that immigrants, including those without legal status, do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans. Yet, Trump’s administration has used public safety concerns to justify intensified enforcement efforts.
With millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., the scope and legality of these actions will likely face increased scrutiny. Civil rights advocates and legal experts have raised concerns over potential constitutional violations during these raids, particularly the detention of U.S. citizens.
What’s Next?
As the immigration crackdown continues, Newark and other sanctuary cities are expected to resist federal enforcement measures. Baraka’s strong response underscores a growing tension between local and federal authorities on the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
For now, ICE has stated it will review the Newark raid. However, the incident sets a troubling precedent for future enforcement efforts under Trump’s administration.
