ICE Agent’s Crash Near NY School Ignites Fear, Exposes Policy Fault Lines

An ICE agent’s car crash in Westbury, New York, on June 10, 2025, after an operation near an elementary school, has inflamed community fears and highlighted contentious federal immigration enforcement policies. The incident near Park Avenue Elementary School serves as a flashpoint for anxieties within Long Island’s immigrant communities, particularly concerning recent changes to “sensitive locations” guidelines.

Flashpoint in Westbury: An ICE Operation, a Crash, and a Community Erupted

The Official Account: What ICE Says Happened

ICE stated its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel were conducting a federal investigation when “confronted by multiple anti-law enforcement agitators”. Subsequently, an agent’s vehicle was involved in a minor collision on Prospect Avenue around 1:30 p.m., resulting in two minor injuries. ICE asserted, “This operation did not involve the nearby school, and did not involve a vehicle pursuit”. Nassau County police initially identified the agents as HSI, not ICE, though ICE later confirmed its involvement. 

“An Unjustified Show of Brute Force”: The View from the Ground

Residents and officials painted a picture of fear. Assemblyman Charles Lavine described community “anger over an obviously excessive and aggressive display of force”. Nassau Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whiton called it an “unjustified show of brute force,” noting the danger created by “an armed and masked military force” near a school. One father reported his daughters “can’t stop crying because they were scared”. Nearly 100 people protested at the scene. The proximity of armed agents to an elementary school, regardless of direct operational involvement, triggered significant alarm. 

A Chilling Effect: Long Island Communities on Edge

Beyond Westbury: A Pattern of Heightened ICE Activity

Reports indicate a “flurry of ICE activity across Long Island”. In Glen Cove, ICE detained four individuals near the LIRR station, with local police not always receiving advance warning. Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said ICE was seeking “very bad people…violent criminals”. ICE presence was also noted in Freeport and Roosevelt. An ICE spokesperson stated they are “executing the president’s mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens”. Legislator Debra Mulé (D–Freeport) condemned “indiscriminate ICE raids,” warning that “Rounding up people without judicial warrants because they “look” undocumented is racial profiling”.   

The Human Toll: Fear in Schools, Streets, and Sanctuaries

Intensified ICE presence is impacting daily life. Residents are reportedly venturing out less, harming local businesses. A Riverhead food pantry, St. John the Evangelist, which usually serves 150 families, now sees about 10 because people are “afraid to come here” due to ICE presence nearby, according to Rev. Larry Duncklee. Kelly Guerra of La Fuerza Unida stated, “Undocumented workers…are going into hiding. The sense of safety…has been replaced with uncertainty”. 

Policy Shifts and Broken Trust: The End of “Sensitive Locations”

Unraveling Protections: What Changed and Why It Matters

The previous 2021 guidelines aimed to ensure enforcement didn’t limit access to essential services and generally restricted actions “near” protected areas. The new DHS memorandum, “Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas,” directs officers to use “discretion along with a healthy dose of common sense,” stating it’s “not necessary…to create bright line rules” on where enforcement can occur. An ICE memo from January 31, 2025, allows case-by-case determinations for actions near protected areas, without mandating prior authorization. The National Immigrant Law Center (NILC) called this a “fear tactic” with a “chilling effect”. This shift to subjective “common sense” over clear rules has eroded community trust. 

Local Pushback and the Sanctuary City Debate

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said ICE shouldn’t be in schools “unless there’s a danger,” preferring local police to enter first. This contrasts with his February 2025 plan for local police to work with and act as ICE agents with judicial warrants. New York State has laws like the “Protect Our Courts Act” limiting warrantless federal arrests at courthouses, a law the Trump administration sued over. New York City’s sanctuary city status has also faced recent discussions about potential modifications.

Voices of Outrage, Calls for Accountability

“Crudely Un-American”: Elected Officials and Advocates Condemn Tactics

Assemblyman Charles Lavine decried “Trump and ICE’s ham-handed approach” as an “unjustified show of brute force…crudely un-American”. Legislator DeRiggi-Whiton warned of creating “a very dangerous situation”. Legislator Mulé reiterated concerns about racial profiling. The case of Elzon Lemus, a U.S. citizen allegedly wrongfully detained by ICE in Westbury after being told “you look like someone I’m looking for,” has amplified these fears. 

Know Your Rights: A Community’s Defense

Community groups and churches are distributing “Know Your Rights” information, emphasizing constitutional protections like the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. Coalitions like Dignity Not Detention are pushing for legislation to end local collaboration with ICE.   

Beyond the Headlines – Rebuilding Trust in Turbulent Times

The Westbury ICE agent’s car crash underscores the human cost of current immigration enforcement strategies and policy changes, particularly the rescission of “sensitive locations” guidance. The incident highlights a disconnect between ICE’s stated mission and the fear experienced by communities. Rebuilding trust requires a commitment to public safety, children’s well-being, and transparent, humane enforcement. 

Call to Action:

• Stay Informed: Understand immigration policies and their community impacts.
• Engage Civically: Voice concerns to officials, advocating for just enforcement and protections for sensitive locations.
• Support Community Efforts: Aid organizations providing legal and other support to immigrant families.
• Foster Dialogue: Promote discussions for policies balancing security with compassion and due process.