If the federal law enforcement intensifies in New York City

In a move that has sparked controversy and concern, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts have intensified in various American cities, with New York City and Los Angeles at the forefront.

Arrests in New York City have largely been confined to the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. However, agents in ICE's New York City field office are under pressure to increase arrests, a push driven by political demands and rising concerns about crime rates. This pressure can lead to heightened police activity, potential conflicts with civil rights groups, and possible social unrest due to aggressive law enforcement tactics.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, ICE agents have been setting up checkpoints and raiding worksites and areas where undocumented immigrants are thought to congregate, including Home Depots. The constant presence and apparently random nature of the operations have caused people to pull back from aspects of public life, with parents not dropping off kids at school and once-bustling public areas sitting empty.

The crackdown in LA has had, and probably will have, huge deleterious impacts on the city's economy. The Trump administration's actions have also led to increased deployments of federal agents and the National Guard to tamp down resulting protests.

The administration's rationale has expanded beyond immigration to general criminal enforcement. In Washington, D.C., federal officers and soldiers have been deploying and engaging in hundreds of indiscriminate stops, checkpoints, and arrests. Multiple federal judges have found that these sweeps in LA and D.C. are indiscriminate and unconstitutionally profile people based on factors like race and location.

The Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts have not been without controversy. Troops themselves have reportedly questioned their deployment in Los Angeles. The administration has faced multiple lawsuits and some court losses amid cratering public support for its immigration actions.

Despite this, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is receiving appropriations in excess of most of the world's military budgets. The administration's immigration policies have also led to immigrant-heavy neighborhoods in the capital reportedly deserting as residents fear the indiscriminate enforcement.

One notable event in Los Angeles was the imploration by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller for ICE agents to focus on Home Depots instead of just targeting criminals. In addition to suspected immigration violators, federal agents arrested over 160 protesters in LA, most of whom were not charged with any violent offense.

As the immigration crackdown continues to expand, other jurisdictions have reason to worry about a franchising of the LA model, with New York City being a prime candidate. The future of immigration enforcement in the U.S. remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the impacts on communities and economies are significant and far-reaching.