ICE Comes to the Village

ICE Arrest on Van Ranst Place from Social Media

By Meg Yergin and Cindy Goldstein -

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly made two arrests in the Village of Mamaroneck on June 27, 2025. 

Village of Mamaroneck Chief of Police, P.J. Trujillo, stated that around 8:17am, Village police were notified that ICE agents were conducting investigations in the Columbus Park area.  Village detectives responded and confirmed that ICE agents were in the area but had been unsuccessful in locating a specific individual for whom they were searching.  However, Village police confirmed that agents arrested a different person at 516 Van Ranst Place who has a criminal conviction and is undocumented.

According to anonymous witnesses, ICE had earlier detained another individual on Halstead Avenue at 5:45 am.  Village officials have not confirmed that detention.

In a press release published later that day, Trujillo emphasized that the Village Police Department was not involved and did not assist ICE in their investigations.  See HERE. Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Sharon Torres posted the following statement on social media on June 27:

"This morning many village residents were confused, concerned and even fearful when they saw or heard about the ICE officers who showed up around 8 a.m.  Please know that our Police Department is not ICE.  They will follow the law, but they are not in charge of immigration issues. They are here to serve and protect the Village and its residents."

The Mamaroneck Observer has been unable to learn where any detained individuals were taken and if they have been released.   

ICE’s Mission to Protect America

Created in 2003 through a merger of the former U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the agency ‘s stated mission is to “Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”  See HERE.  ICE’s website describes a broad range of illicit activity that it investigates including narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, gang violence, money laundering, intellectual property theft, customs fraud, cybercrime, and child exploitation.

Village’s Diverse Population

According to the U.S. Census July 2024 report, 28.9% of Village residents are foreign born.  The report also states that 63.5% of residents are white, 28.5% are Hispanic or Latino and 5.5% are Black. 10.8% of Village residents are of two or more races according to the report. See HERE.

Many residents say that it’s the diversity of the population that has attracted them to live, work and raise their children in the Village.  Weekly demonstrations protesting the current federal administration have been held at the entrance to Harbor Island Park for the last several months.  On June 28 and July 5, a number of demonstrators held signs expressing solidarity with immigrants and protesting ICE.

Impact of ICE on the Village

With federal funding for immigrant detention centers tripling due to the recently passed tax and spending bill by Congress, ICE would seem to be planning to increase detentions.  One-third of all people held in ICE detention now have no criminal charges or conviction; and ICE is currently arresting individuals who have no criminal charges at a higher rate than those charged with crimes according to Austin Kocher, a research assistant professor at Syracuse University studying immigration data.  See HERE.

What the additional funding means for potential detentions of Village residents remains unclear to residents, students, and employers.  One local attorney with immigration experience told the Mamaroneck Observer that there’s a tremendous sense of fear and uncertainty for their clients as well as in the population at large.  Interestingly, they report that their firm’s clients have included not just individuals from Latin America but also from Africa, Asia and Canada.

The lawyer went on to describe the situation with ICE as “treating every case alike, even those with unique circumstances or mitigating factors”, explaining that a convicted rapist with an extensive criminal background is being treated the same as a person with an alleged DUI (driving under the influence) who may have been randomly stopped at a sobriety checkpoint with no prior criminal record.  Our judicial system, the lawyer stated, is based on equal justice for all and, in their opinion, that’s not what is being implemented with the current deportation orders.

ICEBlock App

A new app called ICEBlock (available for free at the Apple App Store) is a tool for users to anonymously report the location of ICE agents in your immediate area.  The purpose is not to obstruct law enforcement but instead is a notification system.  Users may only report ICE sightings within a 5 mile radius of their current location.

Contact Information

The Village Police Department has said anyone approached by ICE and in need of assistance is welcome to call 914-777-1122.   According to Trujillo, the Village Police Department cannot stop ICE agents from doing their job but can verify their credentials.

In its press release, the Department also said that those who would like further information or details regarding Village detentions can email NewYork.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov.