“ICE detained me and treated me like I wasn’t human”: NY hears allegations of abuse from immigrants and families

More than 30 people who say they were directly affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations testified Thursday during a public hearing at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Participants described alleged arrests, physical assaults, violations of their rights and other incidents involving federal immigration authorities over the past 18 months.

The hearing was part of the “People’s Hearings on Immigration Enforcement,” a national initiative intended to document alleged abuses and demand accountability. Organized by Hispanic Federation, the event brought together New York Attorney General Letitia James, First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan and community leaders. Similar hearings have taken place in six other cities, where nearly 200 people have shared their experiences.

Among those who testified was Christina Ozual, a Dominican woman of Haitian origin, who said fear has spread throughout immigrant communities. She warned that people increasingly worry about being stopped simply for speaking Spanish or being perceived as Latino. Other witnesses described the impact of immigration enforcement on families, workers and children.

James said New York would use the tools available to hold federal authorities accountable and protect immigrants. Advocacy groups, including the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition, also called for investigations into alleged civil rights violations and an end to racial profiling. ICE, meanwhile, maintains that its officers enforce federal immigration laws and can detain people suspected of violating them.

The hearing comes amid figures cited at the event indicating that ICE arrested more than 19,500 immigrants in New York state and nearly 18,000 in New Jersey during the first 18 months of President Donald Trump’s return to office. Organizers said the testimonies would help create a public record of alleged abuses and inform efforts to seek accountability.