Federal immigration agents arrested at least four individuals in early Tuesday morning major crackdowns in New York City. The actions, which resulted in the detaining of at least four individuals in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, represented the first big high-profile enforcement under the administration of President Donald Trump. Authorities reported that the people were violent offenders.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem personally supervised the operation and subsequently issued a video statement on social media accounts belonging to the government, stating that agents were “getting the dirtbags off the streets in New York City this morning.” The operation began at the Bronx Terminal Market, with agents spreading out to at least three other locations where they took numerous individuals into custody. The number of detainees is unknown, but government agencies confirmed that at least four were taken into custody through social media posts.
One of those detained has reportedly been identified by mid-afternoon as 25-year-old Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, a high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang. His detention happened just days after President Trump made an executive order formally declaring the gang to be a terrorist organization. The New York Post said, according to law enforcement officials, that Zambrano-Pacheco was taken in for several violent crimes.
Mayor Eric Adams later issued a statement confirming that New York City officials had coordinated with Homeland Security on a federal criminal investigation. Adams stated that before the operation, he had directed the NYPD to work alongside DHS and other federal agencies to ensure the arrest of an individual linked to violent crimes in both New York and Aurora, Colorado. Amongst others, the offenses lined up against him included burglary, kidnapping, extortion, possession of firearms, as well as crime of violence, the mayor maintained that the city would continue with its collaboration efforts in bringing dangerous criminals to justice even though he remained mute the others during the raids.
The operation has sparked strong reactions across the city, with supporters praising federal efforts to crack down on crime. At the same time, critics argue that aggressive enforcement raises concerns about due process and overreach. As federal agencies remain tight-lipped on further details, it remains uncertain whether additional raids are planned. However, officials have hinted that this could be the beginning of an intensified immigration enforcement strategy under the new administration.
