Trump Slammed After U.S. Vet Detained in ICE Raids

In a dramatic turn of events during President Donald Trump’s newly launched mass deportation campaign, a U.S. military veteran was among those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Newark.

The operation has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and civil rights advocates, igniting concerns about constitutional violations and racial profiling.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka issued a fiery statement condemning the ICE operation. “One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned,” Baraka said. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized.”

Baraka’s criticism stems from reports that ICE officers conducted the raid without a judicial warrant, a potential breach of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The incident occurred at Ocean Food Depot, a seafood wholesaler and restaurant. Luis Janota, the business owner, described the raid as heavily targeted. “About 10 to 12 ICE agents stormed in and started asking for documentation,” Janota told PIX11 News. “They only seemed to focus on my Hispanic workers. They didn’t ask me or my white employees for anything.”

Janota said one of the individuals detained was the Puerto Rican warehouse manager. “He’s a veteran. He served this country, and they still questioned his status,” Janota added. “It felt discriminatory. They ignored anyone who didn’t fit their profile.”

An ICE spokesperson, when contacted, defended the agency’s actions, stating that agents are allowed to request identification to confirm an individual’s identity. “U.S. citizens may be encountered during operations, but ICE’s focus remains on individuals violating immigration laws,” the spokesperson said.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker expressed deep concern over the operation. In a social media post, Booker said he and Rep. LaMonica McIver had reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for clarification. “This is deeply troubling,” Booker wrote. “We need answers now.”

Legal experts, including representatives from the ACLU, emphasized that ICE’s actions must comply with constitutional protections. “Without a warrant, ICE cannot legally enter private areas of a business,” said Jennifer Martinez, a constitutional law expert. “Even more troubling is the targeting of U.S. citizens, which undermines public trust.”

Critics have accused the Trump administration of broadening deportation efforts beyond undocumented immigrants. A recent memo from the Department of Homeland Security grants ICE authority to deport individuals who entered the U.S. legally but have overstayed their visas. The move, described by some as a “betrayal of trust,” could impact over 1.4 million people.

As Trump’s administration accelerates its deportation agenda, local officials and community leaders vow to resist. “This isn’t just about immigration,” Baraka said. “This is about protecting the constitutional rights of every person in this city.”

Meanwhile, ICE announced that it had made 538 arrests nationwide and lodged 373 detainers during the first day of operations. At this rate, experts estimate it would take decades to reach Trump’s ambitious goal of deporting 10 million undocumented individuals.

The fallout from the Newark raid highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, raising urgent questions about the balance between national security and civil liberties.