On November 29, 2025, a protest occurred outside a General Services Administration garage in New York City, where agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were reportedly staging for an immigration operation. Activists gathered around 11 a.m., chanting slogans such as "ICE out of New York" and attempting to block access to the garage, which had previously been associated with federal arrests of immigrant street vendors. The New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to the protest, leading to several arrests after officers claimed protesters were blocking exits and throwing debris. Tensions escalated as NYPD officers used pepper spray against demonstrators during the confrontation, which coincided with a busy shopping day known as "Small Business Saturday."

City Councilmember Christopher Marte criticized the NYPD for facilitating ICE operations, reflecting broader concerns about the militarized approach to immigration enforcement and its implications for community safety and cohesion. Activists have expressed alarm over recent aggressive raids targeting undocumented individuals, including incidents where agents threatened families in their homes.

In Chicago, community resistance to immigration enforcement has also intensified. Following changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration, which allowed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate near schools and hospitals, local residents in Rogers Park have mobilized to counteract these raids. Non-violent tactics, such as obstructing ICE agents and using coded whistles to alert the community, have been employed to protect vulnerable populations from deportation. The Protect Rogers Park group has reported a significant increase in calls from concerned community members, indicating a strong local response to the threat of deportation.

Similar resistance efforts have been documented in other cities, including Glasgow and London, where residents have intervened to prevent detentions by immigration authorities. The podcast 'Criminal' has highlighted these community actions, raising critical questions about the legality and morality of government practices that allow for the detention of individuals without due process. The historical context of ICE's establishment in 2003 and the subsequent increase in deportations illustrate a troubling trend in U.S. immigration policy, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

As the U.S. government continues to pursue an anti-migrant agenda, community advocates emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant against xenophobic rhetoric and policies that threaten the rights and safety of immigrant populations.