ICE Operations Raise Concerns in Adirondack Immigrant Community
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently detained more than 20 individuals during two separate operations in the Adirondacks, generating significant concern among local immigrant communities. The first operation, which took place in late May, involved 14 arrests in a parking lot on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid, where many of those detained were employed on nearby roofing projects.
In a second incident last week, ICE detained seven employees of an Indian restaurant while they were driving in Saranac Lake, as reported by North Country Immigrant Allies, a local advocacy organization. These operations have heightened fears among immigrants, particularly within the Latino community in the region.
Kyra Grimmett, the coordinator for North Country Immigrant Allies, emphasized that the recent arrests have led to increased anxiety among immigrants living in the Adirondacks. “Individuals who may not have citizenship, especially those with darker skin tones, feel particularly vulnerable,” Grimmett explained. “Many are constantly monitoring their surroundings, questioning who might be watching them and how they can stay safe.”
Grimmett noted that some immigrants in the area are not U.S. citizens but do have pending asylum claims or temporary protected status, allowing them to work legally as their immigration issues are processed. This status provides some reassurance, yet the threat of detainment persists, affecting their daily lives.
Supporters of the immigrant community argue that ICE’s activities in the region have intensified since the Trump administration expanded immigration enforcement. Grimmett pointed out that agents previously visited local businesses a couple of times a year for employment document checks. However, she has observed that officers now spend extended hours in communities, conducting surveillance prior to making arrests.
This escalating presence has fostered a climate of fear, as many feel they are being watched not just in public spaces but also in their workplaces and homes. “What began as a small influx of ICE officers has transformed into a pervasive environment where people feel as though they are constantly under observation,” Grimmett stated.
During a recent visit to Lake Placid, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand voiced her criticism of the arrests, describing them as “unconscionable” and detrimental to the community’s fabric. “Our state and country benefit immensely from our diversity and immigrant population,” she added. Gillibrand plans to reach out to families affected by the recent detentions in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, aiming to lend support during this challenging time.
In a statement, ICE confirmed that some of the roofers detained in Lake Placid had prior criminal charges, although the agency did not disclose the immigration status of other detainees or whether any remained in custody at the time of publication.
