Representative image (Picture credit: AP) Recent immigration raids in New York City, part of President Donald Trump’s escalated deportation policies, have drawn mixed reactions. Targeting individuals with criminal records, the raids were concentrated in predominantly Hispanic and Black communities, where Trump surprisingly gained significant support during the 2024 election.As per The New York Post, heavily armed federal agents conducted operations across the Bronx area of New York, arresting individuals accused of severe crimes such as murder and kidnapping. Among those detained was Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 25, a suspected leader of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua.“Oh, thank God they got him,” a Bronx resident was quoted by the New York Post, who was relieved by Zambrano-Pacheco’s arrest. Evelyn Brown, an 80-year-old Trump supporter, expressed similar sentiments, stating, “Take the damn bad ones away!”In Washington Heights, where Trump increased his support by 5% in 2024, residents showed cautious approval. One man, who requested anonymity, supported action against criminals but also expressed concern for migrant families potentially caught in deportations. “I don’t want dangerous people on the street, but some of them are families. I don’t want to see them separated or hurt back home,” he told the outlet.Queens, another borough where Trump saw a 10.5% increase in support, also reflected divided opinions. Jason Rodriguez, a forklift driver in Jackson Heights, supported deportations of criminals like Tren de Aragua gang members but highlighted the plight of law-abiding migrants. “There are a lot of undocumented, hardworking people busting their ass doing 14- and 16-hour days to support their families,” Rodriguez told The New York Post, emphasising a distinction between criminals and contributors.Similarly, Damso Vargas, an electrical engineer from Elmhurst, approved targeting criminals but opposed indiscriminate deportations. “If you come to my country, I’d expect you to do the right thing,” he said, reflecting on changes in Roosevelt Avenue’s safety since 2010.Staten Island, a Republican stronghold, voiced strong support for the raids. Kevin Morales, a construction worker, stressed the need to differentiate between those contributing positively and those engaging in criminal activity. “Listen, there’s too many people here that aren’t looking to make a better life for themselves. Instead, they are robbing, shooting, and raping,” he said to the New York Post, adding, “We came here to work and make a better life for our children.”These NYC raids mirror larger efforts under Trump’s administration, which, as per media reports, has seen over 4,800 arrests in a few days. The crackdown has drawn criticism for targeting sensitive locations like schools, with advocates arguing such actions erode trust within communities. In Chicago, for example, federal agents made 956 arrests in one day, a number live-streamed by border czar Tom Homan and television personality Dr Phil to underscore the initiative’s scale.
Trump’s immigration raids gain support in NYC’s minority communities: Report
