PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a local bagel shop manager last week, part of an intensified enforcement effort across Long Island. Community members and business associates report the manager arrived for his shift when federal agents took him into custody in the shop’s parking lot. He is currently being held at a New York City detention facility.
ICE officials identified the individual Fernando Mejia, 41, as having overstayed his visa approximately 20 years ago. The Port Washington case followed what law enforcement sources describe as a series of increased ICE operations in the region, including detentions in Glen Cove and Westbury.
The manager had been employed at Schmear Bagel & Café for several years, where he was described by locals as a familiar and trusted figure in the community. Following his detention, a GoFundMe was launched to assist his family with legal representation, quickly raising thousands of dollars.
Concerns have been raised regarding his medical condition, which reportedly required medication that authorities later retrieved from the café.
Separately, video surfaced of a separate incident in Westbury, where ICE agents detained a Hispanic man who was later determined to be a U.S. citizen after being stopped during enforcement activity. Another incident occurred in Glen Cove, where federal agents made an arrest outside a local business during early morning enforcement activity; local police clarifying they were not involved in that operation.
Community response has included public concern and calls for clarity about ICE’s criteria for detention. Some Long Island residents expressed unease over perceived detentions of individuals who do not appear to pose a public safety threat.
ICE has stated its enforcement did not involve local law enforcement and cited its mandate to detain individuals in violation of immigration law. While the administration has said its enforcement would prioritize undocumented immigrants who are criminals, recent directives and activity indicate a much broader sweep.
Here’s what the records show:
- Enforcement mandate broadened
• In recent months, the administration has instructed ICE to ramp up enforcement in Democratic-led cities, aiming to detain and deport all undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal history.
• A target of 3,000 arrests per day was established—well beyond just criminal aliens. - Criminal-only rhetoric remains in policy documents
• Official ICE directives and programs, such as the Criminal Alien Program and Priority Enforcement Program, technically prioritize individuals convicted of serious felonies or threats to public safety.
• Secure Communities and other legacy policies focused on fingerprint-based identification of criminal aliens. - Actual enforcement actions are more expansive
• Recent ICE operations have targeted non-criminal undocumented individuals, including detainees following routine check-ins or community events.
• In at least one high-profile case on Long Island, ICE stopped and detained a U.S. citizen by mistake during enforcement actions tied to the broader crackdown.
In short, while official policy language remains focused on criminal undocumented immigrants, enforcement practices under the current administration are applying ICE detention efforts more widely – raising concerns among communities that many non-criminal immigrants are being swept into custody.
