As some migrants on Long Island get detained, others turn to a new app tracking ICE sightings
A grassroots organization is using a new tool to alert communities to sightings of federal immigration agents amid an uptick in enforcement on Long Island and President Trump's directive to expand deportation efforts in Democratic-run cities like New York.
Ahmad Perez is the founder of Islip Forward, which created an ICE tracker app to keep communities informed of immigration agent sightings in Suffolk County.
"That will send a push notification as soon as we verify an ICE sighting in the community," Perez said.
App notifies users to reports of ICE agents in the area
The app shows where and when apparent ICE agent sightings take place and provides a photo.
Recently, notifications were sent for two reports in Brentwood and one in Huntington.
"Each time it was agents conducting targeted stops at businesses, at their homes, at places where they should feel safe," Perez said.
He said the aim is to alert app users within 10 minutes of a reported sighting.
"The folks who are going shopping, getting groceries, going to Target, that's enough time for them to consider going back home and protecting themselves and their family," he said.
Since launching in January, the app has been used over 60,000 times, according to Perez. He said it speaks to the fear within the community.
"We want criminals off of our streets. But what we're seeing now is not criminals being taken off our streets. We're seeing innocent families," he said.
CBS News New York reached out to ICE for comment about the app and has not heard back.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement also relies on apps and technology in its work involving migrants. ICE launched an app called SmartLINK in 2018, which can track migrants by the thousands and uses facial recognition technology to keep tabs on them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoes "snap curfew" ordinance passed by city council
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially vetoed the "snap curfew" ordinance narrowly passed by the city council earlier this week. The controversial ordinance aimed to allow Chicago police to declare a curfew on as little as 30 minutes' notice in an effort to curb teen takeovers. The measure was approved by a 27-22 vote in the council after months of debate on how the city should try to curb the large youth gatherings that have sometimes turned violence. Supporters would need 34 votes to override the mayor's veto. In his veto letter to the city clerk, Johnson wrote, "At a time when violent crime continues to trend down in the City of Chicago, it is critical that we continue our investments in community safety strategies that have a proven track record of success. In two short years, we have seen a measurable, sustained decline in crime and violence in our city." The letter goes on to say that the mayor's administration will continue to partner with community organizations, businesses and philanthropists to invest in youth jobs, safe spaces and menta health care along with effective policing. The letter will be read at the July 16 council meeting. Before the council vote,18 members of the Progressive Caucus urged the mayor to veto the ordinance, all but guaranteeing Johnson will have to votes to uphold his veto. Please note: The above video is from a previous report.
CNN
25 minutes ago
- CNN
Trump says Harvard has acted ‘appropriately' and deal could soon be announced
President Donald Trump said Friday that Harvard has 'acted extremely appropriately' during negotiations that could soon result in a deal, signaling a possible major shift in his administration's efforts to target the university. 'Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so,' Trump said in a late afternoon post to social media. 'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country,' he added. The White House, the Department of Education and Harvard did not immediately respond to CNN's requests for comment. CNN has reported that the White House has remained open to negotiation with Harvard, with which it is embroiled in multiple lawsuits. A federal judge on Friday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars while legal challenges continue. Harvard also sued the Trump administration in April over its decision to freeze federal funding and asked for an expedited final decision in the case. Oral arguments are scheduled for July 21. The Trump administration has launched multiple investigations into the school. Efforts to target Harvard began even before Trump returned to office, with his allies arguing they were cracking down on antisemitism on campus amid the Israel-Hamas war. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said last week that the administration believes Harvard has taken steps to combat antisemitism on campus and that some progress has been made. 'We are, I think, making progress in some of the discussion, where even though they have taken a hard line, they have, for instance, replaced their head of Middle East Studies,' McMahon said during a moderated conversation with Bloomberg in Washington, DC. Asked whether Harvard should expect additional actions from the administration, she said, 'At this particular time, we're continuing with the things we've already talked about.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
Fox News
26 minutes ago
- Fox News
Police sound alarm on dangerous 'jugging' robbery trend sweeping across America
As surveillance footage of an increasingly popular violent street crime has surfaced from South Carolina, police are warning Americans of the disturbing trend. The crime is known as "jugging," a type of robbery in which criminals surveil banks and ATMs, watching for victims who withdraw large sums of money. When those victims finish their transactions, the "juggers" will usually follow them to a secondary location, where they will rob the victims, often inside their vehicles. "Jugging rhymes with mugging, it's spread from Texas to South Carolina," Fox News Senior Correspondent Steve Harrigan said on "America Reports" on Friday. "Some police there weren't even sure what the word meant until the crime started happening in their own districts. Law enforcement warns that it could be over in a flash." In the footage, captured on April 26, a man can be seen struggling inside the front passenger area of a red truck, before jumping out of that vehicle and into a silver SUV. The SUV then speeds off, and it is captured from different surveillance angles fleeing the parking lot. Cpl. Cecilio Reyes of the Mauldin, South Carolina, Police Department explained how the crime typically plays out. "They are scoping, and they will watch you as you're either coming in or going out of the bank, or watch you do ATM withdrawals, seeing how much you're getting cash wise," Reyes said. Harrigan described a wave of jugging arrests in Texas, before the practice began spreading to North and South Carolina. "In one place in South Carolina, a landscaping business owner went in a bank unaware that he was being observed, took out his weekly payroll, stopped at a gas station for a soda, and two juggers – they usually work in teams – pulled up alongside his Chevy, broke through the window and made off with what his entire payroll was, $6,000." Harrigan also reported that the Texas legislature is working to make jugging a specific felony, with harsher penalties than simple robbery.
