"Facing the Unpredictable: The Annual ICE Check-In Has Become a Harrowing Experience for Immigrants"
For over 20 years, Venezuelan immigrant Joseph has lived in the United States, including nearly a decade in New York City. However, his annual check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has transformed into a high-stakes, anxiety-ridden experience that has left him questioning his future.
In what was once a routine affair, meant to confirm address and contact information, ICE check-ins have taken on a menacing tone under President Donald Trump's administration. Immigrants are being detained more frequently during these appointments, often without warning, sparking widespread concerns among advocates and attorneys. Even those with clean records and decades of residency are not immune to the harsh realities of ICE detentions.
"I'm trying to block all the bad thoughts, but deep inside I'm still afraid," Joseph confessed in an interview, as he prepared for his check-in. His anxiety stems from the uncertainty surrounding what might happen during this visit. He scribbled down four phone numbers on a sheet of paper – those of his girlfriend, pastor, friend, and eldest daughter – should he be arrested.
This phenomenon is not unique to Joseph. Thousands of immigrants across New York and nationwide are facing similar ordeals, as the administration's immigration policies have become increasingly aggressive. Immigrant advocates and attorneys decry the practice of detaining people at mandatory appointments, arguing that it penalizes those who are complying with federal rules.
The situation has been exacerbated by high-profile arrests at ICE check-ins, including several asylum-seekers believed to be deported to El Salvador. These incidents have sent a chilling message: show up for your scheduled appointment, and you might face detention or deportation.
For Joseph, the experience is particularly personal. Having previously served time in prison for identity fraud, he fears being taken advantage of once again. Despite his efforts to reform and reintegrate into society, he finds himself vulnerable to ICE's unpredictable actions.
As he navigated the labyrinthine 41-floor government building at 26 Federal Plaza, Joseph was met with a mix of security checks and bureaucratic red tape. The setting had changed significantly since his last visit; now, portraits of Trump and Vice President JD Vance adorned the walls outside the check-in office.
After an hour-long wait, Joseph and his pastor were escorted to meet with an ICE officer, who informed him that he could remain free – for now. However, the officer's words came with a caveat: report back in six months for another check-in, instead of the usual year. This is not uncommon; ICE has been requiring more people to check-in and do so more frequently.
As Joseph returned home, shaken but relieved, his pastor offered a poignant warning: "You can be sweet with your mouth and stab you at the same time." The culture surrounding these appointments is one of duplicity, where those in power pretend to offer assistance while secretly working towards mass deportation agendas.
For many like Joseph, facing this uncertain future means preparing for the worst. He has left a spare key with his pastor, arranged for a friend to help pay for a lawyer and bond, and tucked away a sheet of paper with phone numbers – a last resort in case he is arrested. As he reflected on his experience, Joseph's eyes revealed the weight of worry that keeps him awake at night: "This particular morning... it's a test of my faith."
For over 20 years, Venezuelan immigrant Joseph has lived in the United States, including nearly a decade in New York City. However, his annual check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has transformed into a high-stakes, anxiety-ridden experience that has left him questioning his future.
In what was once a routine affair, meant to confirm address and contact information, ICE check-ins have taken on a menacing tone under President Donald Trump's administration. Immigrants are being detained more frequently during these appointments, often without warning, sparking widespread concerns among advocates and attorneys. Even those with clean records and decades of residency are not immune to the harsh realities of ICE detentions.
"I'm trying to block all the bad thoughts, but deep inside I'm still afraid," Joseph confessed in an interview, as he prepared for his check-in. His anxiety stems from the uncertainty surrounding what might happen during this visit. He scribbled down four phone numbers on a sheet of paper – those of his girlfriend, pastor, friend, and eldest daughter – should he be arrested.
This phenomenon is not unique to Joseph. Thousands of immigrants across New York and nationwide are facing similar ordeals, as the administration's immigration policies have become increasingly aggressive. Immigrant advocates and attorneys decry the practice of detaining people at mandatory appointments, arguing that it penalizes those who are complying with federal rules.
The situation has been exacerbated by high-profile arrests at ICE check-ins, including several asylum-seekers believed to be deported to El Salvador. These incidents have sent a chilling message: show up for your scheduled appointment, and you might face detention or deportation.
For Joseph, the experience is particularly personal. Having previously served time in prison for identity fraud, he fears being taken advantage of once again. Despite his efforts to reform and reintegrate into society, he finds himself vulnerable to ICE's unpredictable actions.
As he navigated the labyrinthine 41-floor government building at 26 Federal Plaza, Joseph was met with a mix of security checks and bureaucratic red tape. The setting had changed significantly since his last visit; now, portraits of Trump and Vice President JD Vance adorned the walls outside the check-in office.
After an hour-long wait, Joseph and his pastor were escorted to meet with an ICE officer, who informed him that he could remain free – for now. However, the officer's words came with a caveat: report back in six months for another check-in, instead of the usual year. This is not uncommon; ICE has been requiring more people to check-in and do so more frequently.
As Joseph returned home, shaken but relieved, his pastor offered a poignant warning: "You can be sweet with your mouth and stab you at the same time." The culture surrounding these appointments is one of duplicity, where those in power pretend to offer assistance while secretly working towards mass deportation agendas.
For many like Joseph, facing this uncertain future means preparing for the worst. He has left a spare key with his pastor, arranged for a friend to help pay for a lawyer and bond, and tucked away a sheet of paper with phone numbers – a last resort in case he is arrested. As he reflected on his experience, Joseph's eyes revealed the weight of worry that keeps him awake at night: "This particular morning... it's a test of my faith."
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to make check-ins with ICE super stressful and potentially deadly? It's like they're putting people's lives on hold just to see how anxious they get 
. And for what? So they can deport people or keep them locked up without even giving them due process? It's like, hello, isn't that against the law? 
. I mean, dude has been living in the US for years and has a clean record, but still he's being treated like a suspect. And now he's got to deal with this anxiety thing where he's worried about being taken advantage of or deported? It's like, how can you even cope with that kind of stress? 
. I mean, what happened to compassion and empathy? Can't they see that this is just causing more harm than good? 
, but it's not like he's going anywhere anytime soon. The system is still broken, and people are still going to get caught up in it. We need some real change around here 
.
and the fact that theyre detaining ppl without warning is straight outta a horror movie 
thousands of ppl are living in constant fear and uncertainty over these appointments... when will it end?! 
those thousands of immigrants dont deserve 2 be treated like criminals jus cuz theyre tryin 2 make a livin in america 
what if joseph gets taken advantage of again? 
What if you can't afford a lawyer or bond? 
.
Like, it's time for some serious reform, fam 
.
. And the thing that freaks me out is that even people with good records can get detained... it's not just about the bad guys anymore 
. We need to talk about this more, because it's not right that they're being treated like suspects instead of human beings 
.
. And what's with the constant check-ins? Can't they just give us some peace of mind for once? 
.
. It feels like they're trying to strangle us with paperwork and uncertainty 
. And what if we can't afford lawyers or bail? 
.
. They're just trying to build a new life and contribute to society, but ICE is making it impossible for them 
. We gotta do something to stop this madness 
.
. its like, you gotta have some idea what youre doing before you put ur life on hold. and whats with all the detentions? i mean, joseph has a clean record but hes still being held up by ice 
this whole ice check-in thing has gone from being a normal part of life for immigrants to being super high-stakes anxiety 
I think we're all being way too soft on ICE here... they're just doing their job, and if you don't want to be checked in, then maybe you shouldn't have moved to the country in the first place 
.
and it's not just him thousands of ppl across ny & the country r going thru similar trauma