Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• ICE accelerated hiring bypasses vetting standards, admits 200+ unqualified recruits — NBC News reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rushing to fill 10,000 new deportation officer positions funded by the July 2025 budget reconciliation act, has admitted more than 200 recruits with disqualifying criminal backgrounds, failed drug tests, or unmet academic and physical requirements. ICE shortened its training program from 13 weeks to 6 weeks, removed age limits, and offered $50,000 signing bonuses. Nearly half of those dismissed in the past three months failed an open-book exam; others could not meet basic fitness standards.
• ICE Recruitment Policy Changes — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accelerated its recruitment process, allowing over 200 individuals with disqualifying criminal backgrounds or who fail drug tests to enter its training program. This change is part of a broader budget reconciliation measure that significantly increases ICE's funding and aims to hire 10,000 deportation officers. Critics warn that this could lead to higher corruption rates within the agency.

Supporting reports

• New York Attorney General launches Federal Action Reporting Portal for ICE raid documentation — New York Attorney General Letitia James unveiled a "Federal Action Reporting Portal" form inviting residents to submit photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement actions, following a high-profile ICE raid in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22. The raid involved over 50 federal agents, an armored vehicle, and resulted in the arrest and detention of four U.S. citizens for nearly 24 hours with no charges filed. James stated the portal aims to document potential violations of law and protect New Yorkers from fear and intimidation.

Supporting reports

• ICE detained primary caregiver, denying him access to dying son and funeral attendance — Maher Tarabishi, a Jordan-born man living in the US under supervised release as primary caregiver for his adult son Wael (who has Pompe disease, a progressive muscle disorder), was detained by ICE agents in late October 2025 during a routine field office visit in Dallas. Without Maher's care, Wael's condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. The family requested ICE allow Maher supervised attendance at his son's funeral after Wael died on 23 January 2026; ICE denied the request despite preliminary internal discussions about granting it. Maher remains in detention, unable to attend his son's funeral.

Supporting reports

• New York City officials rejected federal ICE operation and reaffirmed sanctuary policy — Following the October 21 ICE raid on Canal Street, New York City officials issued statements rejecting the operation and reaffirming the city's sanctuary stance. A City Hall spokesperson stated the city "never cooperate[s] with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters" and had no involvement. Council Member Christopher Marte, representing Chinatown, issued a public critique calling the raid "unnecessary, unacceptable, and antithetical to our city's values as a sanctuary for all people."
• ICE conducted unannounced raid on Canal Street in Manhattan's Chinatown — On October 21, 2025, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in tactical gear conducted a surprise enforcement operation on Canal Street in Manhattan without notifying New York City officials. DHS described it as targeting counterfeit goods sales. Vendors fled; bystanders gathered to document the action. City Hall stated it had no involvement and does not cooperate with federal civil deportation enforcement. The operation broke with New York City's 36-year sanctuary policy established by Executive Order 124 in 1989.
• ICE conducts enforcement raid in Manhattan's Chinatown targeting street vendors — On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid in Manhattan's Chinatown near Canal Street, detaining several individuals and deploying military-style vehicles. DHS characterized it as a "targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation" focused on counterfeit goods sales. The operation drew swift condemnation from New York state and local officials, including Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and Mayor Adams, who criticized the use of force against street vendors and bystanders and characterized the raid as creating fear rather than safety.
• ICE conducts immigration raids targeting street vendors in New York City — Under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE has made 7,488 arrests in New York in 2025, with street vendors increasingly targeted. In late October, 14 people were detained in Manhattan's Chinatown after a conservative influencer posted about "African illegal immigrants" selling goods. A second large-scale operation in late November was thwarted when 200 protesters blocked law enforcement vehicles from leaving garages. Street vendors—96% of whom are immigrants and 27% undocumented—face heightened vulnerability to these sweeps.
• ICE raid in Manhattan's Chinatown results in detention of four U.S. citizens — Federal ICE agents conducted a large-scale raid in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22, deploying over 50 masked and armed agents, an armored military vehicle, and riot gear targeting street vendors. Four U.S. citizens were arrested and held for nearly 24 hours without charges before being released on October 23. Congressman Dan Goldman stated the operation was a "militarized effort to incite tension" unrelated to public safety, and widespread protests erupted across New York City.
• ICE raids Chinatown on counterfeit goods charges; protests erupt; at least two arrested for protesting — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, along with FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, and CBP, conducted a raid on Canal Street in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22, targeting vendors selling counterfeit goods. Between 15 and 40 vendors were arrested; at least two additional people were detained for protesting and blocking ICE operations. Hundreds of demonstrators assembled at 26 Federal Plaza, chanting against ICE. Videos showed armed agents zip-tying detainees, shoving onlookers, and an armored vehicle rolling through streets. DHS claimed rioters became violent and obstructed law enforcement; one person was arrested for assault on a federal officer. Local officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, condemned the raid's tactics and Trump administration's approach.