‘Dirtbags Will Be Removed from Our Streets’ [WATCH]

New York City, NY – Newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal authorities early Tuesday for a series of deportation raids in New York City, targeting individuals described as criminal illegal aliens.

Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC – thank you to the brave officers involved. @DHSgov @ICEgov @SecretService @DEAHQ @USMarshalsHQ @NYPDSpecialops pic.twitter.com/uaRxFCvh5h

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025

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The first operation began in the Bronx and focused on a suspect with charges of kidnapping, assault, and burglary.

Noem, 53, shared updates and images of her participation in the raids, wearing a protective ICE vest and working alongside officers from federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“Live this AM from NYC. I’m on it,” Noem posted on social media, alongside a video showing her briefing with officers before the raids.

“We are doing this right – doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people – making our streets safe.”

We are doing this right – doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people – making our streets safe.

Live this AM from NYC. I’m on it. pic.twitter.com/YrDqWupsPJ

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025

One of the high-profile raids took place early Tuesday morning in an Ogden Avenue apartment building.

Just now.

Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody – thanks to @ICE.

Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. pic.twitter.com/fRpJBdmqSl

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025

Residents reported being awakened by loud noises as federal officers forced entry into the suspect’s apartment.

Neighbors described seeing a man being led out in shackles.

“When they brought him out he had shackles on his wrists to his feet,” said one resident, who did not wish to be identified. “His face had a real angry expression. It was strange. I’ve lived here many years and I’ve never seen him come in or out of the building.”

The apartment reportedly housed a woman and several children in addition to the man who was arrested.

Neighbors expressed concerns about how individuals were being identified for deportation.

“Everybody in the building is just asking who else are they coming for? How are they picking the people? Is it just people who have been in the system, who have been arrested? A lot of people don’t have their papers here and there is a lot of fear,” a resident said.

Another neighbor described the operation as “big” and noted that the apartment’s metal door was smashed in with a crowbar.

Noem shared a video of the raid, stating that the individual arrested was a “criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges.”

She emphasized the administration’s commitment to removing such individuals from American streets. “Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets,” Noem wrote.

The raids in New York City are part of a broader national operation targeting sanctuary cities.

Federal agents have conducted similar raids in Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, and New Orleans under the direction of Border Czar Tom Homan.

Homan recently warned on ABC News that no one in the country illegally is off-limits for deportation.

“You’re going to see the numbers steadily increase, the number of arrests nationwide, as we open up the aperture,” he said.

He clarified that initial operations are focused on public safety and national security threats, but broader enforcement will follow.

“Right now, it’s concentrating on public safety threats [and] national security threats. That’s a smaller population. But as that aperture opens, there’ll be more arrests nationwide,” Homan added.

The administration has also loosened restrictions on immigration enforcement in locations previously deemed “sensitive,” such as churches, courthouses, and schools.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed last week that city officials would coordinate with ICE on handling criminal immigrants but expressed caution about Trump’s policy allowing raids in sensitive areas.

The NYPD issued an internal memo reminding officers that while they can collaborate with ICE on criminal investigations, they are prohibited from assisting with civil deportation matters due to the city’s sanctuary status.

ICE reported 1,179 arrests and 853 detainers on Monday, following 956 arrests and 554 detainers issued on Sunday as part of the broader operation.

pic.twitter.com/zCJszn9gG6

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 28, 2025

Tuesday’s action in New York City is part of the administration’s aggressive stance on enforcing immigration laws and removing criminal illegal immigrants from the country.

With Secretary Noem taking an active role in the raids, the administration has signaled its commitment to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to prioritize national security and public safety through robust immigration enforcement.

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