ICE focuses on Latino individuals in New York, targeting them more than any other ethnic group, according to a recent report.

A recent study conducted by the New York Immigration Coalition has revealed that Latino immigrants in New York State have been disproportionately targeted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the Trump administration’s enforcement efforts. The findings indicate that Latino migrants have faced a significantly higher rate of arrests compared to individuals from other ethnic backgrounds.

According to the report, immigrants from Central and South America represent 25% of New York’s immigrant population but account for an alarming 74% of ICE arrests within the state. This stark contrast highlights the intense scrutiny and heightened enforcement actions directed at Latino communities, which has raised concerns regarding the equitable application of immigration policies.

The report emphasizes the concerning reality that ICE enforcement practices are not only aggressive but also discriminatory. Officials from advocacy groups contend that Latino communities are frequently targeted in their neighborhoods and homes, often irrespective of their criminal histories. There is a pressing call for city leaders and policymakers to act proactively to protect immigrant families and reinforce New York as a sanctuary for these communities rather than a place of fear and persecution.

The trend is not isolated to New York, as analysts noted that similar patterns of targeted arrests among Latino immigrants have been observed across the United States. While the increase in arrests was described as less pronounced in New York City compared to other urban areas such as Los Angeles, community arrests—particularly of Latino men without prior criminal records—were identified as a key driver of heightened ICE enforcement actions.

Analysis of ICE data spanning from January 20 through July 29 revealed that the agency conducted 252,571 arrests nationwide during this period. The study underscores significant disparities across various Latino populations, indicating that Ecuadorians, for instance, comprise only 4% of non-citizens but represent nearly 25% of ICE’s arrests in New York. Other notable findings include that Guatemalans make up 1.6% of non-citizens yet account for 8.4% of arrests, while Hondurans, Colombians, and Mexicans also face disproportionately high rates of arrest relative to their populations.

The implications of these findings are profound given that immigrants account for 44% of New York’s workforce. The report highlights that the Trump administration’s crackdown has not been focused entirely on individuals with criminal records; in fact, arrests of immigrants with no criminal convictions have surged at a rate three times faster than those with previous offenses. This has raised alarms about the broader impact of mass deportations, which extend beyond job losses to threaten the diversity that characterizes New York City.

An ICE representative has yet to provide a statement in response to the findings. As the situation continues to evolve, advocates stress the necessity for regulatory reforms to ensure fair treatment and protection for immigrant communities within the state.

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