ICE Arrests in NYC: What Removal Proceedings Mean for You
ICE agents swept through New York City on June 10, 2026, arresting multiple people now facing deportation. The operation is a reminder that removal proceedings can begin without warning — and the deadlines to fight back are short. If you or someone you love is undocumented or has an open immigration case, what you do in the next few days could determine everything.
ICE Conducts Targeted Arrests Across New York City
On June 10, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a series of targeted arrests in the New York City metropolitan area. ICE Fugitive Operations teams — special units that track people who have ignored immigration court orders — arrested several individuals. ICE said those arrested had prior criminal convictions. All of them are now in ICE custody and are facing removal proceedings (the official legal process to deport someone from the United States).
ICE Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said the agency will continue to prioritize these operations in New York. The arrests come as New York City maintains so-called "sanctuary" policies, which limit how much local police cooperate with ICE. Federal officials have publicly criticized those policies, saying they make enforcement harder. City officials argue the policies protect immigrant communities and encourage people to report crimes without fear.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
If you or someone you know is placed in removal proceedings, the clock starts immediately. You have 30 days to appeal an order of removal. If your case is already decided and you want to reopen it, you generally have 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen with the immigration court. Missing these deadlines can end your options to stay in the United States.
What to Do If You Are Affected
- Know your rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an immigration lawyer before answering questions from ICE. You do not have to open your door unless ICE has a signed judicial warrant.
- Contact an immigration lawyer immediately. If you or a family member has been arrested or received a notice to appear in immigration court, lawyers recommend acting within hours — not days. Many nonprofit organizations in New York offer free or low-cost legal help.
- Check your deadlines. An appeal of a removal order must be filed within 30 days. A Motion to Reopen must be filed within 90 days. Write these dates down and share them with your lawyer.
- Ask about a Stay of Deportation. If deportation is imminent, your lawyer may file Form I-246 (a request to temporarily stop your deportation, called a Stay of Deportation). The filing fee is $155.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Deportation Defense”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If someone you know has been detained by ICE, the first priority is finding out which detention facility they are in and whether a removal order has already been issued — because the 30-day appeal deadline begins immediately. If deportation is scheduled, an attorney can file Form I-246 to request a Stay of Deportation for $155, which may buy critical time to build a defense. Do not wait — consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible, because many options disappear once deadlines pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE enter my home without permission?
ICE cannot enter your home without your permission unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative ICE warrant is not enough to force entry. You can ask them to slide the warrant under the door to check before opening it.
What happens after ICE arrests someone?
The person is taken into ICE custody and placed in removal proceedings — the legal process to deport them. They will receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court. They may be held in a detention center or released on bond while their case is decided.
How long do I have to appeal a deportation order?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal. If you want to reopen a case that was already decided, you generally have 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen. Both deadlines are strict — missing them can eliminate your legal options.
Does living in a sanctuary city protect me from ICE?
Not completely. Sanctuary policies limit cooperation between local police and ICE, but they do not stop ICE from conducting its own operations. ICE can still arrest people in public spaces or at their homes. Sanctuary policies do not cancel federal immigration law.