800 New Yorkers Swept Up In 'Collateral' ICE Arrests

85% of those arrested had no criminal history, according to ICE data

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting the blurred, fragmented motion of an ICE agent, conveying a sense of chaos and aggression through the use of overlapping geometric shapes and dark, muted colors.The aggressive tactics and broad scope of ICE's 'collateral' arrests in New York City have sparked outrage and calls for greater oversight of the federal agency.NYC Today

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested 811 immigrants in New York City since August who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of these 'collateral' arrests, 85% involved people with no criminal history, according to newly obtained ICE data.

Why it matters

These 'collateral' arrests by ICE in New York City have raised concerns about the agency's tactics and focus, with advocates arguing it is a sign of a law enforcement agency needing to be reined in.

The details

The ICE arrest data analyzed shows that of the 2,491 people ICE targeted for arrest in New York City since August, 73% had no criminal convictions or pending charges. While ICE claims it is focused on arresting 'the worst of the worst', the data indicates that a significant portion of those arrested had no criminal history.

  • Since August 2025, ICE has arrested 811 immigrants in New York City.
  • From August 2025 through March 10, 2026, these 'collateral' arrests accounted for 24% of all ICE arrests in New York City.

The players

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal law enforcement agency that is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Deportation Data Project

A group that obtained the ICE arrest data through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit and analyzed it.

Murad Awawdeh

The president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, an advocacy group that criticized the latest ICE arrest figures.

Yasmine Farhang

The Director of the Immigrant Defense Project, an organization that has been pushing for the New York for All Act to extend sanctuary protections across the state.

Tom Homan

The former Border Czar who reasoned that sanctuary cities like New York would face more 'collateral arrests' by ICE.

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What they’re saying

“The Trump administration is not interested in actually delivering on what they say, which is making our communities more safer and secure. They are aimlessly, racially profiling people, but they're looking for anyone that they can detain so they can meet their idiotic quotas.”

— Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition

“You would think that the bare minimum that our state could do is pass the New York for All act that would prohibit the collusion of local law enforcement, which is also racially profiling people for the purpose of handing them over to ICE around the state.”

— Yasmine Farhang, Director, Immigrant Defense Project

What’s next

Advocates are pushing for the passage of the New York for All Act, which would extend sanctuary protections across the state and limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.

The takeaway

The high rate of 'collateral' arrests by ICE in New York City, where the majority of those detained had no criminal history, raises concerns about the agency's tactics and focus, with critics arguing it is a sign of a law enforcement agency needing greater oversight and accountability.