ICE Operations Ramp Up in Major Cities Before Midterm Vote
Reports from New Jersey, New York, and Portland indicate increased enforcement activity, while early voting numbers show a counter-trend in targeted communities.
By Austin Reed ·
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents gathered outside a Walgreens in Dover, N.J., on Wednesday morning. Councilwoman Sandra Wittner received messages indicating that a dozen or more officers were present. Neighbors across north New Jersey reported a sharp increase in agency activity throughout the day. This local surge mirrors a national pattern observed in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections.
Wendy Weiser, a researcher at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, stated that the administration’s tactics appear designed to intimidate voters. Despite this strategy, early turnout figures have risen. Wittner described the atmosphere in Dover as one of apprehension and fear. Residents were uncertain whether a major operation was imminent, leading many to feel unsafe.
Tracking these operations has become difficult because the Department of Homeland Security no longer shares timely public information. When asked about a recent surge, the agency responded that its agents uphold immigration laws in all 50 states, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. An official in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office in New York confirmed that the city has noted a rise in activity. A volunteer in New York who monitors local operations said the group has seen numerous cluster raids in recent weeks. These operations involve multiple agents moving from one location to another.
Similar trends have emerged in other regions. Troy Brynelson, a reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting, noted a noticeable uptick in ICE activity in Portland. He observed that enforcement has concentrated in commercial areas since early October. Volunteers in New York documented these scenes, reminded detainees of their rights, and alerted neighbors. A member of that group, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid retaliation, said the activity has increased since the summer.
Juan Proaño of the League of United Latin American Citizens expressed concern over the timing of these actions. He argued that enforcement near polling stations could dissuade voters from participating. He clarified that the issue is not necessarily agents at the polling place, but rather their presence in the perimeter. Proaño suggested that social media coverage of mass enforcement actions could be enough to keep some people from voting.
Weiser said there is no evidence that the raids are suppressing participation. She pointed to surges in early voting among minority communities across the country. She stated that Americans are tuning out the intimidation tactics. Participation is rising in Latino communities and other groups targeted by the agency. Weiser noted that while the current data is positive, intimidation at polls remains illegal. She urged voters to report any instances of pressure or fear at the ballot box.
