Human Impact Project

Two workers assisting with wildfire firefighting in Washington state's Olympic National Forest were detained by Border Patrol agents on charges of unauthorized entry and reentry. One of the detainees had a pending U-visa application and a previous removal order. The detentions occurred while the workers were engaged in firefighting efforts on the Bear Gulch fire, an approximately 9,000-acre wildfire. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray and Representative Emily Randall, made statements regarding the operation. Randall was subsequently denied entry to the ICE facility where the men were being held.

A U.S. judge blocked the government from deporting Guatemalan children who had crossed the border without their families. The children were already on the tarmac awaiting deportation when the court order was issued.

A man was detained at 7:20 a.m. on August 29. A community member observed the detention and noted interaction between the man and officers.

Immigration attorneys and relatives reported conditions at ICE's field office in Northern Virginia, including detainees receiving only one meal a day, 40-90 people in single rooms with no beds, and some held for up to seven days without bathing. The facility, designed as a temporary holding office, has become overcrowded due to increased immigration arrests in Washington D.C. since mid-August. Attorneys reported detainees are being denied legal representation, medical care, and basic hygiene access.

Detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention facility reported that guards deployed teargas and beat detainees indiscriminately with batons during an alleged uprising. The incident occurred after migrants began shouting for 'freedom' upon learning of a relative's death. Florida and ICE officials denied the reports and stated detainees receive safe conditions. The facility faces a court-ordered closure within 60 days.

Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, a 42-year-old legal permanent resident from Peru with a valid green card for over 20 years, was detained by CBP and ICE for 10 days after returning from a family vacation in Mexico on August 11, 2025. She was initially held at Boston Logan International Airport for four days without proper medication or access to basic necessities, then transferred to a detention center in Maine. Her detention was based on a marijuana possession conviction from over 20 years ago that had been pardoned and her record sealed. Her attorney challenged the detention as unconstitutional, leading to her release on August 28.

Flor Ivet Vargas-Loya, a DACA recipient and mother of two, was detained while shopping at a T.J. Maxx store in Arizona, according to Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari. The incident was reported by 12 News Arizona.

Jean Carlos, 37, has lived in Miami for 31 years and is a father of two. He is a DACA recipient who is currently detained. Multiple DACA recipients are currently in detention. Children of detained immigrants are being separated from their parents.

Bayron Rovidio Marin was arrested by Border Patrol and federal agents during an immigration raid at a car wash in Carson on August 27, 2025, and sustained severe leg injuries during the arrest. He was held in a hospital for 37 days without being charged with any immigration violations, with ICE agents monitoring him at all times. A federal judge ordered ICE to release him, finding that the prolonged detention without charges violated his due process rights and exceeded legally permissible holding periods.

Daryn Herzberg, a U.S. Marine veteran, filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security after being tackled by federal agents during a protest outside Portland's ICE facility on August 13. The lawsuit alleges battery and unconstitutional use of force, claiming the contact was unwanted and caused injuries including chest contusions and breathing issues. Federal authorities charged Herzberg with obstructing the facility and throwing objects, charges his attorney describes as bogus and retaliatory.

Audio recordings documented an exchange between a Walworth County Commissioner and the Sheriff's department regarding an ICE arrest taking place inside the courtroom.

Jorge Cruz, a green card holder and street vendor who has worked at LA art events including Frieze LA and the Hammer Museum, was detained by ICE on August 27 while returning home with his wife from dropping off their four children at school. Cruz, who came to the U.S. as a child and was previously protected under DACA before obtaining his green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, was transferred to a detention center in Adelanto about 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles, where he remains held. Immigration authorities reportedly pursued removal based on his past arrests for minor infractions related to unpermitted street vending, despite charges being dismissed.

Alejandro Theodoro Orellana, 29, a member of the Boyle Heights-based community organization Centro CSO, pleaded not guilty to handing out protective face shields to protesters during an anti-ICE demonstration in Los Angeles. He faces federal charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting civil disorder. Trial was set for August 26 in LA federal court.

Francisco Hernandez-Corona, an undocumented immigrant who had lived in the U.S. for most of his life, self-deported to Mexico. He was married to a U.S. citizen, but a permanent bar from a childhood unauthorized entry prevented him from adjusting his status while in the country, leaving him with no legal pathway to remain.

Balbino Mayora, an Arizona resident of nearly 25 years and business owner, was arrested by Phoenix police over vehicle registration issues. After his court hearing on August 27, ICE agents apprehended him outside the courthouse and he was transferred to the Eloy Detention Center. Mayora, who entered the US legally on a visa but overstayed, is now in removal proceedings while his family fights for his release.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopped Maria on Thursday morning while she was on her way to pay rent and buy a cake for her grandson's birthday. Sandra Hernández, director of Latinos Unidos Siempre, stated that Maria was racially profiled. The incident resulted in extensive injuries to Maria.

Hagop Chirinian, an undocumented Lebanese immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 50 years, was arrested by ICE after wandering onto Camp Pendleton during an early morning surf trip near Oceanside. He had been enrolled in an ICE supervision program for 20 years with regular check-ins. He has been detained at Otay Mesa Detention Center for four months without a court hearing or bond hearing. Chirinian was a legal permanent resident until losing his status in 2005 due to a felony drug conviction.

Gustavo was detained by ICE on August 24, 2025, while working at Bubble Hand Car Wash in Torrance. After being held for 7 months, he was granted bond at $17,500. His sister Rosa organized a GoFundMe to raise funds for his legal expenses, noting that Gustavo is elderly with medical conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cirrhosis.

Rodrigo Almendarez, a U.S. citizen born in Canoga Park, was detained by ICE agents outside his workplace in Simi Valley without being identified or told why. He was released after showing his ID and a coworker's intervention. He plans to file a lawsuit over the incident.

An ICE officer fired at a U.S. citizen during an enforcement incident. Video footage shows the officer firing while the citizen stated he had children in his car.

Arnulfo Bazan was deported after being intimidated into signing a voluntary departure form. He has returned to his home country. The community organization fielhouston commented on the actions taken against Bazan and his family.

HSI and ICE agents chased a family in Indio, California, causing a couple to crash their vehicle. Agents removed the man from the scene in their vehicles. The children were left at the scene. An ambulance arrived for the mother and children.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers opened fire during an immigration enforcement operation in San Bernardino, California on Saturday, firing three shots at a departing vehicle. Masked agents in unmarked vehicles surrounded the family's truck with weapons drawn and broke windows without identifying themselves, prompting the driver to flee out of fear. Federal authorities claimed the action was self-defense after the vehicle struck two officers, though no agents were injured. The family later refused to allow agents into their home without a warrant, and federal agents surrounded the residence for several hours.

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen made statements regarding DHS and ICE immigration enforcement operations in Chaffee County, Colorado that resulted in multiple detentions. The operations involved masked agents using unmarked vehicles. Pettersen requested details about the enforcement actions, who was detained, and whether agents followed guidelines to protect families.

ICE arrests continue to increase across the Western Pennsylvania region, including areas like Monroeville and Ambridge. Federal immigration authorities are receiving assistance from local police in conducting these enforcement operations. The article references an incident on Tuesday involving more than two dozen workers arrested at a construction site at Mount Nittany.

ICE agents arrested a father from Guatemala outside Park Dale Lane Elementary School in Encinitas on Wednesday morning while dropping off his daughter. The arrest was witnessed by parents and school staff. This was the third ICE arrest outside a San Diego-area elementary school in August. The man had an outstanding removal order from an immigration judge since 2017, according to ICE.

Armed ICE officers in an unmarked SUV detained Jediael Amaya Sanchez, 46, in a crosswalk outside the Buncombe County Courthouse on August 21 without notifying local law enforcement or his public defender. Amaya Sanchez had just been acquitted in a jury trial two weeks prior and had only traffic-related convictions. He was transferred to a detention center in Lumpkin, Georgia.

Cottonwood School of Civics and Science relocated from its location next to a Portland ICE facility. The school experienced exposure to chemicals, munitions, and gases on its grounds during summer 2025, prompting cleanup efforts and enrollment decline. The K-8 charter school moved to a new location on Southwest First Avenue before the school year began on September 2.

Miguel Alvarado-Lopez, a worker at Moonshot Tavern in Portland, was apprehended by immigration enforcement agents on January 24 while sitting in his car at a gas station in Northeast Portland. He was transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, then to Arizona, and as of the report was awaiting deportation to Guatemala where his wife and son reside.

A father was briefly detained by ICE agents on August 19, 2025, after dropping off his child at a Garden Grove elementary school. Masked individuals in unmarked cars surrounded and handcuffed the man near campus around 7:50 a.m. He was held in an ICE vehicle in a nearby parking lot and released within an hour after providing documentation and confirming his identity.

An ICE enforcement action in Escondido resulted in the detention of a father while his children witnessed the incident. According to an Instagram post, children can be heard speaking in Spanish expressing distress about the situation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents opened fire on a vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation after the driver allegedly struck two officers with his car. The three occupants, including an unauthorized immigrant, were not hit. The driver was briefly detained but released due to California's sanctuary policies, as agents lacked a warrant.

Federal agents detained a food delivery driver in Northwest Washington on Saturday morning, tackling him to the ground and apparently using a stun gun before placing him in an unmarked vehicle. The incident was witnessed and recorded by multiple people including a Washington Post reporter. The man was later identified as a Venezuelan national.

ICE agents confronted Francisco Longoria and passengers in San Bernardino on August 16, 2025. Masked agents in an unmarked vehicle surrounded the car and fired at least three shots. According to the family, the agents did not identify themselves before smashing the driver's window and opening fire, with bullets striking near where Longoria's teenage son was seated. ICE claimed Longoria drove toward officers. The family and their attorneys dispute this account and are requesting a criminal investigation.

On August 16, 2025, ICE conducted enforcement operations at a Home Depot and car wash in Anaheim, detaining at least five people despite a federal court order prohibiting indiscriminate sweeps. At the Euclid Car Wash, ICE deployed tear gas against a crowd of bystanders and arrested Isaac Dominguez, an uninvolved Black bystander who was there to wash his car, after he reportedly confronted the agents.

ICE officers arrested a Mayan-language speaking woman from Guatemala in San Francisco immigration court on August 15, 2025. The DHS attorney did not move to dismiss her case and agreed to reschedule her hearing for October. The woman, who spoke only Mam and had difficulty communicating through interpreters, was arrested in the courthouse hallway immediately after her hearing concluded.

Tatiana Martinez, a 24-year-old TikTok influencer with 47,000 followers, was arrested by federal agents while livestreaming from her car in downtown Los Angeles. Her attorney believes she was targeted for recording and reporting ICE activity, though DHS stated she was arrested due to a prior DUI conviction. Martinez was taken to a detention center in Calexico and reportedly suffered bruising during the arrest.

A person who lived nearly their entire life in the United States was deported to Guatemala. The individual was encountered in the streets of Flores and spoke with an American accent. Their story was documented for a YouTube channel.

Ribvar Karimi, an Iranian national, has been in ICE custody for over 50 days in Alabama. He missed the birth of his child while detained.

Mamadou Mouctar Diallo, a 20-year-old asylum seeker from Guinea and student at Brooklyn Frontiers High School, was detained by ICE following a routine court appearance. Elected officials, immigrant advocates, and teachers gathered outside the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Diallo is currently being held in a detention facility in Pennsylvania.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Juan Jose Martinez Cortes, a Mexican national, outside Linda Vista Elementary School in San Diego on Thursday while he was waiting to pick up his child, minutes before school dismissal. School district officials expressed frustration over the arrest occurring near school grounds. This was the second ICE arrest outside an elementary school in the San Diego area within two weeks.

Igor Babkin, a Russian asylum seeker and artist, was arrested by ICE during a routine check-in appointment on February 3rd in San Antonio despite having entered the U.S. legally through a parole program for asylum purposes. Babkin had fled Russia due to political persecution and had previously passed his initial asylum screening. He remains detained at a privately operated ICE facility in Pearsall.

Michel Tshimankinda, a local pastor and asylum seeker who arrived in the U.S. around 2016, was detained by ICE agents on August 14 while leaving his wife's workplace in Westbrook. ICE stated he had overstayed a temporary visa in 2016, though his family claims they applied for asylum before the visa expired and obtained legal identification and work permits. Tshimankinda, who founded a multicultural church in South Portland and works in health care, is being held in New Hampshire pending an immigration court bond hearing.

Mamadou Mouctar Diallo, a 20-year-old asylum-seeker from Guinea and Brooklyn Frontiers High School student, was detained by ICE on August 4, 2025, following a routine immigration court hearing at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Diallo arrived in the United States in January 2024 seeking asylum after crossing the southern border and was pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile status through proper legal channels. He was transferred to Pike County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania and held pending removal proceedings. On August 14, elected officials and advocates gathered at Tweed Courthouse demanding his release from custody.

Antonia Aguilar Maldonado, a mother of two U.S. citizen children, was released from ICE custody on August 13 following a federal judge's order. She had been detained on July 17 while on her way to work despite having no criminal record and an active asylum application. Aguilar Maldonado came to the U.S. in 2016 as a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor without legal status.

Daryn Herzberg was tackled by a federal agent while protesting outside an ICE facility in South Portland on August 13, 2025. Video shows the agent slamming into Herzberg from behind without apparent provocation, resulting in injuries including a concussion. Herzberg filed a tort claim against DHS seeking $150,000 in damages, alleging violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights.

ICE agents detained six people at a home on Hillside Street near 79th Avenue in East Oakland on Wednesday morning, including a minor. An immigration attorney stated that no warrants were issued for anyone's arrests and that the minor was detained unlawfully. The minor was initially kept in a hotel but was later brought back to an ICE processing center.

Federal Protective Service officers arrested more than a dozen protesters outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles during Occupy ICE demonstrations that began in early July. The protesters maintained an encampment and stated they were being targeted for exercising First Amendment rights, while federal officials cited charges including assaulting officers and vandalism. The ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging excessive force and violations of protesters' constitutional rights during the demonstrations. The arrests occurred during the ongoing demonstrations.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran named Daryn Herzberg alleges he was battered and assaulted by Department of Homeland Security personnel outside an ICE facility in South Portland on two separate occasions in August 2025. According to video evidence and his attorney's account, federal employees tackled him to the ground, with one incident involving an officer grabbing him by the hair and slamming his face into the ground multiple times. Herzberg's legal team plans to sue the federal government, citing injuries including a concussion, abrasions, and bruising.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking ICE from holding immigrants at a Manhattan facility (26 Federal Plaza) unless conditions are improved, including providing sleeping mats, hygiene products, and legal access. The facility had been holding detainees on floors without beds, limiting meals to two per day, and denying access to basic necessities and legal representation.