Albany, NY – In response to this week’s ICE raids in Ithaca and New York City, Citizen Action of New York issued the following statement:
“Citizen Action of New York strongly condemns the inhumane and unjust ICE raids taking place across our state and this country. These raids are not about public safety—they are about tearing families apart, criminalizing Black and Brown communities, and instilling fear in our neighbors. This is government-sanctioned racial profiling, and we will not stand by in silence.
“What makes this country great is not the persecution of immigrants—it is our diversity, our shared humanity, and our commitment to justice. But time and again, we see the same cruel, racist policies deployed to target, detain, and deport people who are simply trying to build better lives for themselves and their families.
“Let’s be clear: These raids are an attack on our values. They are an attempt to strip people of their dignity and their right to exist freely. Citizen Action of New York stands in full solidarity with all New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status. We demand an immediate end to these brutal tactics and call on state and federal leaders to act now to protect our immigrant communities.
“We will not be silent while families are torn apart. We will not be silent while our neighbors live in fear. From Ithaca to Buffalo, to Long Island, we will fight for a New York that stands for justice, dignity, and human rights for all.”