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Homeland Security Sec. Noem joins feds in NYC on early morning immigration raids
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jan 28, 2025
Modified Jan 28, 2025
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Drug Enforcement Administration / via X
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jan 28, 2025
Modified Jan 28, 2025
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U.S. immigration agents raided at least two locations in the Bronx on Tuesday morning and at least one undocumented person was charged with kidnapping, assault and burglary, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal and local officials.
A video Noem posted to social media shows uniformed officers in the dark escorting someone from an apartment building on Ogden Avenue near West 170th Street in Highbridge. It was not immediately clear exactly when the enforcement action took place, but it happened sometime early Tuesday morning.
There’s no indication yet if the raids were out of the ordinary, aside from Noem’s presence. The actions come as the Trump administration, now in its second week, has pledged to ramp up immigration enforcement nationwide.
“Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC — thank you to the brave officers involved,” Noem tweeted, along with photos of her gathered with federal agents.
Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement that he had directed the NYPD to coordinate with homeland security officials as part of a multiagency task force to “conduct a targeted operation to arrest an individual connected with multiple violent crimes.” Adams said the suspect, whom he didn't identify, was “hiding” in the city and was wanted on a variety of charges in New York and Aurora, Colorado.
The outside of the building on Ogden Avenue in the Bronx where federal officials conducted an immigration enforcement action on Jan. 28, 2025.
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration said it was assisting Homeland Security and the Department of Justice with “immigration enforcement efforts” in the city. The agency posted a photo on social media showing a man being led away with his hands behind his back on Creston Avenue in the Bronx.
DEA spokesperson Kenneth Heino confirmed at least three arrests were made in enforcement actions in the Bronx but was unable to give further information about the task force-led operation.
Anderson Martinez, a resident at the Ogden Avenue building, said his mother told him she heard a boom from the hallway early Tuesday morning. He said he did not know the people who lived in the unit federal officials raided.
“I’m still processing this,” said Martinez, 37. “But having that happen next to your door is concerning.”
A Gothamist reporter heard children's voices from inside the unit on Tuesday afternoon, but no one answered the door after the reporter knocked.
About two miles away on Creston Avenue and East 180th Street in University Heights, Yahaira Gonzalez said she was recovering from the shock of having 30 law enforcement officials inside her apartment to arrest a man early Tuesday.
“They just took him, we don’t know why. They just asked his immigration status and that was it,” Gonzalez said. She added that she did not know the man well but was giving him a place to live for a few days because he was having issues with his wife.
Gonzalez said she was home during the raid but kept her bedroom door closed and did not come out. “Imagine how terrorizing it is to have all these police, all these people here at 6 a.m. while you’re still sleeping,” she said.
Noem thanked the NYPD’s special operations chief in her social media post. An NYPD official said police officers were present on Tuesday morning as part of a "criminal enforcement action” involving someone connected to multiple serious crimes, including burglary, kidnapping, extortion and firearms possession.
The department is part of a Homeland Security Investigations task force, the official added.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office was aware of an increased presence of federal immigration agents across the city.
“I am monitoring the situation to ensure our laws are being respected and people's rights are not being violated,” she said in a statement. “We have sent guidance to law enforcement, and it must be followed.”
Calls and emails to the Department of Homeland Security and immigration officials were not immediately returned.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
bronx
immigration
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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