ICE Tracker Covers Suffolk County After 'Unprecedented Interest'

ISLIP, NY — Since President Donald Trump took office, immigrants living and working on Long Island have been on high alert as ICE agents initiate raids and deportations across the United States and throughout New York, as news of ICE sightings spread throughout the community.

After a confirmed incident where plain-clothed ICE agents targeted a Brentwood home while looking for undocumented children in January, community empowerment organization Islip Forward launched an ICE tracker, a community-driven platform created to address both verified and false reports of ICE sightings in the area.

Now, after community members shows an "unprecedented interest" in the tracker, Islip Forward has expanded the tracker to cover all of Suffolk County, Ahmad Perez, Islip Forward 's founder and executive director, told Patch.

Perez said the decision came after the first version of the tracker "recorded over 10,000 uses in just seven days."

"Unjust enforcement actions have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Our goal is to empower individuals with accurate information and support their right to live without fear," Ahmad said.

He added that the expansion of the ICE tracker "is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community."

"By using and sharing this tool, residents are not only taking steps to protect themselves but also standing up for the safety and well being of their neighbors, friends, and family," the organization said in a statement.

Using the tracker is simple, the organization said. It manages verified sightings of ICE agents reported by local residents, is updated daily in English and Spanish, and is available free of charge. Islip Forward encourages all community members to utilize the ICE tracker and report any verified sightings.

In January, Perez told Patch that while his organization certainly doesn't support criminals in the community, it also doesn't "support federal agents targeting innocent children and families in schools and churches."

"Many of President Trump's recent immigration enforcement actions, such as ending birthright citizenship and shutting down the CBP One app, are direct attacks on our Constitution and values," he said. "These actions block legal immigration pathways and spread fear amongst immigrants and their families. Islip Forward urges the Trump administration to refocus on creating safer communities, lowering costs, and fostering job growth."

Click here for more information about Islip Forward and the ICE tracker.