A mother and her three children were recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and taken to a Texas detention facility, drawing widespread criticism from officials, school leaders, and immigrant rights groups.
The case has triggered strong emotional reactions across the country, especially in New York, where the family lived and had been following proper immigration procedures, according to supporters.
Family Detained Without Criminal Charges
The New York Immigration Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group, confirmed that the mother and her three children—including a third-grade student—were taken into custody at a dairy farm in Sackets Harbor, New York. ICE agents later transported the family more than 1,800 miles to the Karnes County Detention Facility in Texas.
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the coalition, said the detention was both shocking and wrong.
“This family was doing everything right, attending court hearings and following immigration laws,” he said. “Yet they were taken away and disappeared overnight. This is not how a lawful country should act.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Community Leaders React
New York Governor Kathy Hochul strongly condemned the detention, calling it “just plain cruel.” She immediately called on ICE to return the family to New York, stressing that the government should focus on deporting violent criminals—not families.
“These are not criminals. These are children who are part of our schools, our communities,” Hochul said.
Jennifer Gaffney, superintendent of schools in Sackets Harbor, also criticized the action. She confirmed that the children taken were current students in the school district and were deeply connected to the school community.
“These children are classmates, and part of our daily lives here,” Gaffney said. “This situation has left everyone in shock.”
Conflicting Reports About Warrant
Some reports suggest that ICE agents were acting on a warrant for another individual, not the mother or her children. However, no official response has been issued by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and many believe the arrest may have violated the family’s legal rights.
The community of Sackets Harbor is planning a rally to demand the release of the family and bring more attention to the issue.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
This detention is part of President Donald Trump’s recent push to ramp up deportations, often without court proceedings or criminal charges. Trump has defended his policies as necessary to protect national security, but critics—including many Democrats and advocacy groups—say the tactics are harsh and target families rather than criminals.
Murad Awawdeh stated,
“What we are witnessing is a misuse of power. The Trump administration, along with Tom Homan, is operating outside the law, treating families as criminals.”
According to CBS News, ICE and DHS began new enforcement operations across parts of New York on March 24, 2025, targeting undocumented individuals.