Immigration agents ramp up enforcement nationwide before midterms

Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity has increased in multiple states in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections. Local officials and community groups report that agents have appeared in greater numbers, prompting concern about voter intimidation. Despite the heightened enforcement, early turnout has risen in several targeted demographics.

In Dover, New Jersey, Councilwoman Sandra Wittner received messages on Wednesday morning regarding a gathering of agents outside a Walgreens. She reported that a dozen or more officers were present. Neighbors across north New Jersey observed a similar spike in operations throughout the day. Wittner stated that residents felt apprehensive and uncertain about whether a large-scale event was imminent, noting that people did not feel safe.

The pattern is not limited to New Jersey. Reports from NPR and its member stations indicate that cities and states across the country have seen a rise in ICE activity since early October. Tips have come from rural Illinois, Oregon, Detroit, and California. An official in the office of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that the administration has noted a surge in the city. A volunteer neighbor in New York, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, described an uptick in activity that has continued since the summer.

This volunteer, who is part of a group that documents operations and reminds detainees of their rights, said the group has witnessed numerous large operations in recent weeks. She referred to these as cluster raids, where multiple agents move from one location to another. In Portland, Oregon, reporter Troy Brynelson of Oregon Public Broadcasting noted that ICE activity has picked up compared to the summer months. He observed that the enforcement is concentrated in commercial areas.

Juan Proaño of the League of United Latin American Citizens expressed concern about the timing. He stated that while the enforcement may not occur at the polling station itself, it often happens at the perimeter. Proaño argued that social media and news coverage of these actions could dissuade individuals from going out to vote. He emphasized that mass enforcement actions near voting locations create a specific type of pressure on the electorate.

Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School said the administration's tactics appear designed to intimidate voters. However, she noted that there is no indication the raids are affecting overall turnout. Weiser reported a surge in early voting in minority communities, including Latino communities and other groups targeted by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. She described the current participation levels as high in these specific demographics.

The Department of Homeland Security responded to a query from NPR about the recent surge by stating that ICE agents uphold immigration laws in all 50 states, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The agency did not provide specific numbers on recent operations. Weiser noted that while the current data suggests the intimidation strategy is not reducing participation, it remains illegal to intimidate voters at the polls. She advised that such incidents should be reported.

Community groups continue to monitor operations and document details as they happen. The difficulty in reporting on these crackdowns has increased because the department no longer publicly shares timely information on its operations. As election day approaches, local officials are watching for further changes in enforcement patterns and voter behavior.