ICE conducted a raid in the Bronx on Tuesday morning as Kristi Noem, President Trump’s homeland security secretary, observed the operation that ended with the arrest of an undocumented man accused of a kidnapping in Colorado.
Unsubstantiated sightings of ICE in NYC have circulated online since Trump once again became president on Jan. 20. However, the first official raid, as announced by Noem on X (formerly Twitter), occurred on Jan. 28.
Noem, a former South Dakota governor, posted on X that a man was taken into custody in the Bronx just after 6 a.m. but did not specify an exact location. The New York Post reported that one arrest took place along Ogden Avenue.
The homeland security secretary — shown at the raid wearing body armor with the words “POLICE ICE” attached on the front — called the arrested individual pictured in her X post, a suspected undocumented person, a “criminal alien” and a “dirtbag.” She did not provide specific information on who the man was other than listing the criminal charges against him.
Still, sources with knowledge of the unfolding investigation report that those cuffed allegedly have ties to a Venezuelan gang.
The New York Post later identified the suspect as 25-year-old Tren de Aragua member Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco. The report, citing sources, reveals that Zambrano-Pacheco had a warrant for his arrest for kidnapping and burglary in Colorado. Zambrano-Pacheco was allegedly involved in a Denver aparment break-in over the summer.
“Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody,” Noem wrote. “Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.”
Just now.
Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody – thanks to @ICE.
Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. pic.twitter.com/fRpJBdmqSl
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025
NYPD directed to coordinate with feds ‘as we have done for years’
Mayor Eric Adams said that prior to the raid, he “directed the NYPD to coordinate with” Homeland Security “and other federal law enforcement agencies, as allowed by law, to conduct a targeted operation” leading to Zambrano-Pacheco’s arrest for “multiple violent crimes, both here in New York and in Aurora, CO.”
“As I have repeatedly said, we will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice — just as we have done for years,” Adams said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. Our commitment to protecting our city’s law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering.”
In recent weeks, Mayor Adams had repeatedly said in recent weeks that the city would cooperate with the Trump administration in deporting suspected or convicted undocumented criminals, but would also protect undocumented individuals who have not committed any violent crimes.
The NYPD seemed to confirm the mayor’s statement Tuesday, noting that the department by law “does not engage in civil immigration enforcement, assist in any manner with civil immigration enforcement, or allow any Department resources to be used in connection with civil immigration enforcement.”
In this instance, however, the NYPD said it acted in “accordance with city and state law” by working “with federal law enforcement agencies in connection with a wide range of criminal investigations,” such as the one involving Zambrano-Pacheco.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that ICE joined federal agents for the early morning operation. However, it is unclear how many people were taken into custody for immigration infractions.
Sources report that at least two people were cuffed in operations conducted at several locations Tuesday morning.
Tuesday’s raid was one of many ICE operations that have occurred across the country since Trump took office nine days ago. ICE made more than 3,000 arrests nationwide during Trump’s first week in office, including 1,179 arrests on Monday, according to the agency.
Though the aim has been to deport undocumented individuals, one operation in Newark, NJ, last week led to the citizens being detained, according to that city’s mayor, Ras Baraka.
“Without producing a warrant. One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned. This egregious act is in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” Baraka said in a Jan. 22 statement. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized.”
The DEA thanked Noem for joining the raids.
“Thank you @Sec_Noem for joining #DEANewYork and our federal law enforcement partners, as we assist @dhsgov with their immigration enforcement efforts in #NewYork,” the official account read.
‘Know Your Rights’
The Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit released a statement just before noon on Tuesday in response to the raid, unveiling a new monthly in-person roundtable discussion to inform non-citizens of their rights as well as a new webpage designed to offer resources titled, “Know Your Rights.”
The hub also offers families advanced planning when it comes to potential ICE arrests and detainments.
“In this moment, it is critical that all New Yorkers know their rights and are as prepared as possible. We are proud to launch these Know Your Rights materials and convenings to support the people we serve, communities, and fellow advocates navigating new anti-immigrant policies and laws,” said Deborah Lee, attorney-in-charge of the Immigration Law Unit at the Legal Aid Society.
Meanwhile, the advocacy group New York Communities for Change alleged that the raid was “a direct violation of NYC’s Sanctuary City status.”
“The use of federal funds to bypass New York’s state law and enforcement structures is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s blatant disregard for local and state law,” according to a statement from the organization.
Updated on Jan. 28 at 4:55 p.m.
