ICE Enforcement Jumps in Key States Before Midterm Vote
Officials and volunteers report increased immigration raids in New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, while early voting numbers rise in targeted communities.
By Samira Khalil ·
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents gathered outside a Walgreens in Dover, New Jersey, on Wednesday morning. Councilwoman Sandra Wittner received messages from residents reporting a dozen or more officers at the scene. Neighbors throughout north New Jersey saw a similar rise in activity during the day.
This pattern extends beyond New Jersey. Reports from various cities and states indicate a surge in ICE operations in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections. Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School said the tactics appear designed to intimidate voters. Despite the visible presence, early turnout is increasing.
Wittner described the mood in Dover as one of apprehension and fear. Residents were unsure if a major event was imminent. She noted that people did not feel safe. Wittner could not confirm who was detained or where, a common difficulty in reporting on these crackdowns. The Department of Homeland Security no longer shares timely public information on its operations.
When asked about the recent surge, the agency responded that ICE agents uphold immigration laws in all 50 states, seven days a week, and 24 hours a day. Tips from rural Illinois, Oregon, Detroit, and California have documented increased enforcement throughout October. An official in the office of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the city has noted a surge, though the official was not authorized to speak publicly.
A volunteer in New York who monitors ICE activity described the recent shift. She said her group documents operations and alerts neighbors. She noted that the group has seen numerous large operations, or cluster raids, in the past few weeks. These involve multiple agents moving from one location to the next in quick succession. The volunteer requested anonymity due to concerns about retaliation.
In Portland, Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Troy Brynelson reported a similar trend. He said ICE activity picked up in early October and continued through the month. The operations appear concentrated in commercial areas. Brynelson described the increase as a noticeable uptick compared to the summer.
Juan Proaño of the League of United Latin American Citizens expressed concern over the timing. He noted that ICE presence often occurs at the perimeter of polling stations rather than inside them. Proaño said that mass enforcement actions, even when away from polls, can dissuade voters from going out to vote due to social media coverage and news reports.
Weiser said there is no indication the raids are lowering turnout. She reported a surge in early voting in minority communities across the country. Weiser stated that participation is rising in Latino communities and other groups targeted by ICE and DHS. She added that intimidation at the polls is illegal and should be reported.
