Concerns have intensified regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices following several high-profile detentions. On October 29, Teaha Hwang, a 39-year-old man with no criminal record, was taken into custody during his green card interview in downtown Los Angeles. His wife, Xelena Diaz, expressed confusion and fear over the sudden detention, highlighting the emotional toll on families navigating the immigration system. Legal experts note a troubling trend of increased detentions occurring during immigration appointments, which has led to heightened anxiety among applicants. Immigration attorney Habib Hasbani indicated that many individuals are now reluctant to attend their interviews due to fears of being detained.

In a separate incident, a 7-year-old boy and his mother were detained by ICE while traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday. The family was stopped after making a wrong turn, and the boy's absence from school prompted concern from school officials. The Winooski school district in Vermont, which has implemented a 'sanctuary schools' policy to protect immigrant families, has since provided support to the family, including legal assistance and financial aid. This incident marks a significant escalation, as it is the first known case of a child being taken into custody by ICE during such circumstances.

Data from the Deportation Data Project reveals a sharp increase in the detention of individuals without criminal records amid federal immigration operations. In Chicago, for example, the average daily bookings of non-criminal detainees surged from approximately three to over 45 between early September and mid-October, reflecting a more than 1,400% increase. Similar trends have been observed in Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, where a significant portion of recent detentions involved individuals with only civil immigration violations. Despite the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) claims that its focus is on individuals with criminal records, the data suggests that those without criminal histories are increasingly being targeted.

The implications of these enforcement practices have raised questions about the legality and humanitarian impact of such actions. Critics, including some U.S. lawmakers, have expressed concerns regarding the constitutional authority of the president to authorize military-style operations without congressional approval, particularly in light of the growing number of non-criminal detentions. As ICE continues to operate alongside Border Patrol agents, the situation underscores the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and its effects on vulnerable communities.