For some migrants, a routine trip to their annual U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-in has become a fraught event that can trigger fear, anxiety, or even detention.
The check-ins, meant to be a simple review of documents, have taken on a more ominous tone under President Donald Trump's administration. Immigrants who arrive for these appointments are increasingly being detained by ICE officers without warning, often without explanation.
According to immigrant advocates and attorneys, this practice penalizes immigrants who are complying with federal rules. Those who skip their appointment can face deportation or be sought after and arrested by ICE.
For Venezuelan immigrant Joseph, a 52-year-old who has resided in the U.S. for over 20 years, his annual check-in has become a harrowing experience. He knew that if he didn't comply, he might not return home to see his family or continue living his life without fear of deportation.
As he prepared for his appointment at the government building in Lower Manhattan, Joseph scribbled down phone numbers of people close to him on a piece of paper, just in case something went wrong. He had flashbacks of his time in ICE detention and felt "broken" when released back into society.
The check-in process itself was uneventful, with Joseph being told that he could remain free – for now. However, the experience left a lasting impression on him. "It's a test of my faith," he said as they emerged from the building.
This is not an isolated incident. Immigrant advocates say that more people are being detained at ICE check-ins, often without warning or explanation. The practice has become a hallmark of Trump's immigration crackdown in New York City.
The numbers are staggering. Over 3,300 people have been detained by ICE this year in New York City alone, with many arrests taking place at the government building where Joseph had his appointment.
While some politicians and officials claim that detaining immigrants in federal buildings is safer than on the streets, critics argue that it is a form of punishment for those who are trying to follow the rules.
As one lawyer noted, "You tell people to follow the process, and following the process is going to ensure that when your time comes, you have the opportunity to move forward." Instead, ICE's actions seem to be driving away even those who are most desperate to comply.
The check-ins, meant to be a simple review of documents, have taken on a more ominous tone under President Donald Trump's administration. Immigrants who arrive for these appointments are increasingly being detained by ICE officers without warning, often without explanation.
According to immigrant advocates and attorneys, this practice penalizes immigrants who are complying with federal rules. Those who skip their appointment can face deportation or be sought after and arrested by ICE.
For Venezuelan immigrant Joseph, a 52-year-old who has resided in the U.S. for over 20 years, his annual check-in has become a harrowing experience. He knew that if he didn't comply, he might not return home to see his family or continue living his life without fear of deportation.
As he prepared for his appointment at the government building in Lower Manhattan, Joseph scribbled down phone numbers of people close to him on a piece of paper, just in case something went wrong. He had flashbacks of his time in ICE detention and felt "broken" when released back into society.
The check-in process itself was uneventful, with Joseph being told that he could remain free – for now. However, the experience left a lasting impression on him. "It's a test of my faith," he said as they emerged from the building.
This is not an isolated incident. Immigrant advocates say that more people are being detained at ICE check-ins, often without warning or explanation. The practice has become a hallmark of Trump's immigration crackdown in New York City.
The numbers are staggering. Over 3,300 people have been detained by ICE this year in New York City alone, with many arrests taking place at the government building where Joseph had his appointment.
While some politicians and officials claim that detaining immigrants in federal buildings is safer than on the streets, critics argue that it is a form of punishment for those who are trying to follow the rules.
As one lawyer noted, "You tell people to follow the process, and following the process is going to ensure that when your time comes, you have the opportunity to move forward." Instead, ICE's actions seem to be driving away even those who are most desperate to comply.
. I mean, think about it, they're supposed to just show up and review their papers, but now it feels like a trap that could lead to detention 
. It's not just the immigrants who are affected either - their families are too, because you never know what's going to happen next.
That's crazy! You'd think it would be easier for them to follow the rules and not get caught up in all this stress. I mean, isn't that what we're trying to do here?
. We need to figure out a way to make these check-ins less traumatic and more about helping people get back on their feet, not throwing them a curveball.
ICE check-ins: 
a routine trip can turn into a nightmare! 
I made this diagram to show how it all works out:
loop: if you follow the rules, but still get detained... what's the point? 
I think it's time to rethink this system. We need to make sure that those who are trying to comply with the rules don't get punished for doing so. 
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It's all about power and control, folks - and we need to be calling out this kind of behavior. We should be supporting people like Joseph, who are just trying to live their lives and contribute to society without being treated like some kinda criminal. 
and saw this adorable giant panda eating bamboo 
i mean what's up with their tongues though? they're like super long and blue-ish 
it's like, don't they deserve a break? or some sort of understanding that they're not necessarily trying to hide from anyone? 
anyway, has anyone seen those cute panda babies online lately? 
. It's like they're trying to punish people who are already vulnerable and scared. We need to find a way to make the process less intimidating and more trustworthy.
. They've built lives, families, and careers here, and they shouldn't be treated like criminals just because they're trying to follow the rules. We need to treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their immigration status 
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That's like, most of them aren't even deported, fam!
. In 2019, there were only 1,200 people detained in NYC, but now it's over 3,300! That's a whole lotta anxiety for people trying to follow the rules 
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. It feels like the government is making it super hard for people who just wanna live their lives here. I mean, isn't the point of immigration checks to make sure everyone's good to go? Not to scare them off or make 'em feel anxious all the time 
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and the fact that these ppl are bein detained without warnin or explanation is straight up messed up 
and dont even get me started on this "safer" argument lol its just plain bull 
u mean to tell people that follow the rules gonna get locked up? what kind of message does that send? 
. It's not fair and makes people feel anxious or even fearful about their future. I think it's weird that they're using government buildings as a place to detain immigrants instead of giving them a safe space to resolve their issues 
. It's like, what's the point of following the process if you're just gonna get punished for it? 