ICE enforcement spikes in multiple states as midterms approach
Local officials and volunteers report increased agent activity in cities from New York to Portland, while early voting data shows higher turnout in targeted communities.
By Michael Bennett ·
Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have increased in several major U.S. cities during October. The rise in activity coincides with the final stretch before the midterm elections. Local leaders and community groups are tracking these changes closely.
In Dover, New Jersey, Councilwoman Sandra Wittner received alerts early Wednesday morning about a dozen or more agents gathering outside a Walgreens. Neighbors across north New Jersey reported similar sightings throughout the day. Wittner described the atmosphere as one of apprehension and fear, noting that residents were unsure if a major action was imminent.
The surge is not limited to New Jersey. Reports from NPR and its member stations indicate heightened activity in rural Illinois, Oregon, Detroit, and California. An official in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office confirmed the city has observed a rise in ICE presence since the summer. A volunteer neighbor in New York, who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation, said her group has documented numerous cluster raids in recent weeks where agents move quickly from one location to another.
Troy Brynelson, a reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting, noted a noticeable uptick in Portland, particularly in commercial areas. He stated that the activity level in October is higher than what was observed during the summer months. Juan Proaño of the League of United Latin American Citizens expressed concern about the timing of these enforcement actions. He explained that the focus is not necessarily on agents at polling stations, but on the visibility of operations near them.
Proaño warned that mass enforcement actions near voting locations could dissuade some people from going out to vote. He argued that social media and news coverage of these events might be enough to keep voters home. However, Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School said there is no indication that the raids are lowering turnout. She cited a surge in early voting among minority communities, specifically Latino groups and other communities targeted by federal agencies.
Weiser said the administration’s tactics appear designed to intimidate voters, but the data suggests the strategy is not working. She noted that Americans are tuning out the noise and participation is increasing in targeted areas. Despite the rising numbers, Weiser emphasized that intimidation at the polls remains illegal. She encouraged voters to report any instances of harassment or unusual agent activity near voting sites.
The Department of Homeland Security did not confirm a specific surge in response to inquiries. The agency stated that ICE agents uphold immigration laws in all 50 states, seven days a week, and 24 hours a day. This standard response came as local officials continue to monitor the situation leading up to election day.
