Community members, advocates speak out against ICE presence in Hudson Valley
Community members are speaking out with their concerns over recent ICE activity in the Hudson Valley. It comes amidst nationwide protests.
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Community members are speaking out with their concerns over recent ICE activity in the Hudson Valley. It comes amidst nationwide protests.
"I hope people feel the sadness that is out there, we're out here and we will not be silenced," said a Yonkers resident during a rally Thursday.
That rally stems from recent ICE activity around the Hudson Valley.
Community members and local organizations rallied across from the Yonkers DMV on Thursday.
They claimed ICE was there earlier this week.
However, the director of public information with the DMV says they are not aware of any ICE activity in the facility.
The person added that as part of an independent DMV investigation Wednesday, the DMV arrested someone accused of fraud. They were brought to the Yonkers Police Department for processing.
Regardless, people in the community say they are on edge.
ICE previously said it's carrying out immigration enforcement in the Hudson Valley.
"It causes people to hide inside, to go back inside, not show up to work. We're at the point where we're seeing our community members, families be torn apart," says Diana Sanchez, with the Yonkers Sanctuary Movement.
It comes as protests erupt around the country over ICE raids.
The situation is drawing reaction locally.
"Everybody has the right to protest but peacefully. Once it becomes violent, sort of destroy things, that's when it's getting out of hand and the police have every right to step up," says Westchester County Legislator James Nolan.
"It's hard not to put your emotion into it, if you see families get separated. But you know the risk you take coming here, you know coming here undocumented, there is a chance you can get deportation," says a Yonkers resident named Lek.
