Immigration Crackdown in D.C.: Local Leaders Raise Alarm Over Arrests

Fri Dec 19 2025 17:56:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Activists and city officials express deep concern as a recent law enforcement operation in Washington, D.C. leads to a significant rise in immigration-related arrests, impacting the immigrant community's safety and wellbeing.

A federal operation launched in Washington, D.C. by the Trump administration aimed at combating crime has raised serious concerns among local leaders and activists, who assert that it has disproportionately targeted immigrants. With one-third of arrests being immigration-related, reports indicate a pattern of fear and anxiety within immigrant communities as enforcement tactics come under scrutiny. City council members highlight the disconnection of local governance and the federal initiative, calling for more equitable treatment for residents.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump launched a law enforcement operation in Washington, D.C. four months ago, he claimed it was a mission to combat rampant crime. However, local leaders and activists argue that the operation has also become a significant crackdown on immigrants, who now face increasing fears about their safety and legal status in the city.

Official data indicates that around 33% of the over 7,500 arrests made during this operation have been tied to immigration. Community members report a climate of fear, with arrests becoming a routine part of everyday life. Although the operation was described by the administration as a success in terms of reducing crime, many community members believe it has led to unjust and unlawful detentions.

“Immigration enforcement sweeps are not making the nightly news anymore because it’s business as usual,” said Washington council member Brianne K. Nadeau, highlighting the normalization of targeted operations against immigrant communities.

The Aim of the Operation: Crime Fighting?

Initiated in mid-August, the federal intervention involved seizing control of the city’s police force, deploying federal agents alongside hundreds of National Guard members. While Trump's administration maintains that the operation aims to reduce crime, advocates assert that crime rates were already declining prior to the intervention.

Data from the University of California Berkeley Deportation Data Project reveals that about 947 out of 1,130 immigration arrests made in D.C. lacked individuals with prior criminal records, raising concerns over the legality and ethics of such detentions.

“The focus of President Trump’s highly successful D.C. operation has been to address crime committed by anyone, regardless of immigration status,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, though many residents contest this narrative.

Fear and Anxiety Among Immigrants

Despite the lapse of the emergency order affecting local police in September, continued law enforcement sweeps and checkpoints have left residents on edge. Witnesses report frequent detentions near schools and food distribution sites, often involving masked officers.

Nadia Salazar Sandi, a Bolivian immigrant, recounted her family's trauma stemming from recent detentions, stating, “This is terrifying. I’m a citizen now, and I walk with my passport.”

Some residents are reportedly even avoiding essential public services due to fears of immigration enforcement waiting for them.

Legal Challenges and Community Response

A federal judge recently ruled against the Trump administration's approach to immigration arrests, deeming the tactics used as often lacking probable cause. This ruling has sparked discussions about the role of local law enforcement in conjunction with federal agents.

Local leaders criticize the limited power they have to protect their constituents from federal encroachment and highlight the need for more equitable treatment for all residents of D.C.

“The frustrating truth is that we do not have the same levers of power and control, nor the same rights, as any state to protect our residents,” remarked city council member Brooke Pinto, emphasizing the challenges local officials face.

As federal agents continue to exert their presence in D.C., community activists and local leaders are mobilizing to address the ongoing challenges immigrants face, advocating for immediate reforms in enforcement practices to ensure the safety and dignity of all residents.