New Immigration Funding and Its Impact on Communities

Earlier this month, both the House and Senate approved a bill allocating $170 billion for immigration management and border enforcement, including an additional $29.9 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Since January, ICE has expanded its operations significantly. This has led to the arrest of not only undocumented immigrants but also legal permanent residents, visitors on temporary visas, and even US citizens, including officials such as New York City Director Bloodlander, Newark’s Mayor Las Baraca, and Representative Lamonica McIver from New Jersey.

ICE has demonstrated a capacity to infringe upon civil rights, raising concerns among US citizens and residents alike.

Since its inception in 2003, ICE has operated with a level of immunity. Over the past seven years, I’ve been examining what some refer to as “execution episodes,” their lasting effects, and the stories of young American citizens in New York impacted by immigration enforcement that targets their families and communities.

One young person shared how an agent’s presence affected their childhood, recounting early morning visits where local police disrupted the lives of families, leading to the sudden disappearance of loved ones. These experiences of fear were particularly acute when ICE agents were spotted on subways and highways, indiscriminately threatening citizens.

Until now, most of ICE’s covert power hasn’t been recognized publicly unless directly witnessed by those affected. This appears largely because many whose rights have been violated are minors.

Children of US citizens often find themselves separated from their parents, yet they cannot defend themselves in immigration courts. While policymakers seem to be moving in a different direction, pervasive fear undermines the happiness of these children.

Previously, policy guidelines that shifted administrations gave adults a sense of security, leading many to believe that only individuals engaging in wrongdoing were targeted. ICE collaborated with local law enforcement, whom many community members trust, to carry out these operations effectively.

In response, advocates have sought to promote a more humanitarian view of immigrants, urging local agencies to refrain from cooperation with ICE. They advised immigrants to comply with the law, seek legal counsel, and attend scheduled hearings.

Little attention, however, has been paid to the toll that enforcement takes on children.

Today, as ICE expands its reach across almost every state and budget increases loom, the narrative around these young individuals becomes more urgent. Stories from young New Yorkers encourage a shift from fear to proactive engagement.

Lesson No. 1: Communities can challenge the aftermath of these enforcement episodes.

From personal experience, I’ve witnessed how deeply traumatic these episodes can be—whether during home raids, traffic stops, or legal proceedings. Children often find themselves acting as translators, attending lawyer meetings or drafting letters for relief applications. However, some individuals I encountered benefited from robust community support. Neighbors intervened during traffic stops, offering rides and aiding in diffusing potentially dangerous encounters with ICE.

This kind of community engagement was particularly noticeable in rural areas, where local coalitions formed strong bonds between citizens and non-citizens. Many took on roles as translators or advocates for families.

Lesson 2: Communities can provide essential resources for rebuilding.

The New Yorkers I spoke with displayed remarkable resilience, often finding support that went beyond immediate family. Particularly in urban settings like New York City, immigrant children benefited from exceptional educational environments and supportive teachers.

As one young woman pointed out, teachers were instrumental in linking students to vital services and mental health counseling. Others joined youth groups that empowered them instead of leaving them feeling helpless in the face of ICE’s actions.

Preparation was key; knowing what to do when crises arose allowed these young people to respond effectively when incidents affected their families.

For over two decades, the US has relied on internal enforcement from ICE agents, who are now willing to arrest anyone perceived as a threat. As ICE funding and actions expand, we all share the responsibility to resist and propagate recovery. To do this, it’s essential to:

• Document instances of ICE actions and seek to de-escalate situations when possible.
• Support individuals involved in proceedings, making sure they aren’t isolated.
• Stand by family members and offer mutual support.
• Be present for the children of community members, such as counselors, coaches, and doctors.
• Build a network of support through clubs and activities that foster advocacy for children.
• Engage in community outreach, providing rights training and counteracting the stigmatization of immigrant stories.

All across the nation, individuals are already embracing these actions. Each of us may not be able to do everything, but we can come together to heal and protect the civil rights that belong to us all.

Joanna Dreby discusses this in her work, Surviving the Ice Age: New York immigrant children, and is a sociology professor at the University of Albany.