In New York City, the number of ICE arrests involving Asian immigrants has sharply increased. What is especially alarming is that people without any criminal history may also be at risk, including those with old immigration violations, a pending asylum case, a missed court hearing, a final order of removal, or other issues with immigration status.
According to a new report by Stop AAPI Hate ( https://stopaapihate.org/2026/04/22/a-pi-ice-data-fact-sheet/ ), the number of arrests of Asian immigrants in New York State increased 600% after Donald Trump returned to office. The analysis covers ICE activity from January 20, 2025, through March 10, 2026. During that period, New York recorded 1,425 arrests of people with citizenship from Asian countries, compared to 205 arrests during a comparable period under the previous administration.
For English-speaking Asian immigrant communities in New York, this news is especially important. This may affect immigrants and families from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and other Asian countries where English is commonly spoken or used in education, business, and daily communication.
Many of these families live in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and other parts of New York. Some entered the United States through the border, some applied for asylum, some are waiting for immigration court hearings, and others may already have old deportation orders they do not even know about. That is why it is extremely important to review your immigration history and understand your risks before any meeting with ICE, USCIS, or immigration court.
It is also important to understand that speaking English does not mean someone automatically understands the U.S. immigration system. Many immigrants from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and other Asian countries may not fully understand what a Notice to Appear, final order, removal proceedings, ICE check-in, or order of supervision means. One missed hearing, one outdated address, or one misunderstood document can lead to serious consequences.
It is especially dangerous to ignore letters from immigration court, USCIS, or ICE. If you moved and did not update your address, the court may have scheduled a hearing without you actually receiving the notice. If you did not appear, the judge may have issued a deportation order in absentia. Many people only discover this when they are later detained by ICE.
Asian immigrant families in New York should remember these important rules:
• Do not open the door for ICE unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
• Do not sign documents you do not understand.
• Do not lie to ICE officers, but remember that you have the right to remain silent.
• Do not go to an ICE check-in without first consulting an immigration attorney, especially if you have an old court case, criminal issue, or final order of removal.
• Do not wait until an arrest happens to start reviewing your immigration case.
• If you are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, or another Asian country and you have problems with your immigration status, now is the time to speak with an experienced immigration attorney. Even if you are afraid that it is “too late,” there may still be legal options, such as a motion to reopen, asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection, cancellation of removal, family petition, VAWA, T visa, U visa, or other forms of immigration relief.
At Shepelsky Law Group, we help immigrants understand their rights, review their immigration history, prepare for ICE check-ins, defend themselves in immigration court, and explore possible paths to legal status in the United States.
If you or your loved one is afraid of ICE arrest, received a notice, missed a court hearing, has a final order of removal, or does not know what is happening with an immigration case, contact our team as soon as possible. The earlier you get legal help, the better chance you may have to protect yourself and your family.
If you are inside the United States, call us now at (718) 769-6352. It is important to be prepared for any immigration situation.