Family Detained in ICE Raid in Sackets Harbor Released After 11 Days

The release follows widespread protests, criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and community efforts to reunite the family with their hometown.

A mother and her three children, detained during a March 27 ICE operation targeting a South African national, were released from a Texas detention facility on April 7.
The family, who had been following legal immigration processes, was taken into custody despite not being the raid's target, sparking outrage in their local community of Sackets Harbor, New York.
Around 1,000 protesters, including teachers and neighbors, marched to border czar Tom Homan's home over the weekend, demanding the family's release.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the detention as 'cruel' and confirmed the family’s return to their community after 11 days of uncertainty.
The incident has intensified criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, with advocates highlighting the collateral harm to families and community trust.