BRENTWOOD, NY — An increasing number of Long Island residents are relying on a mobile reporting app to track suspected U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Suffolk County. The app provides push notifications informed by community-sourced sightings, offering users timely alerts about ICE operations in their areas .
The grassroots initiative, spearheaded by Islip Forward – a local advocacy group – launched the app in January. Since then, it has been accessed tens of thousands of times. Alerts have reportedly covered multiple incidents, including several in Brentwood and at least one in Huntington.
According to local reporting, the app delivers verified sightings within ten minutes, enabling users to adjust their plans or avoid areas with active enforcement. The app interface includes location, time, and (when available) photographs to help authenticate reports.
Community leaders have cited growing fear within immigrant neighborhoods, noting that increased ICE visibility has disrupted assistance programs, local businesses, and daily activities. Some service providers report a decline in foot traffic due to uncertainty and caution.
In response, a “Keep Our Families Together” rally was held in Brentwood on June 24, where hundreds gathered to protest ICE presence and urge state and local officials to implement additional protections.
ICE has not issued any public response regarding the tracker app. Separately, ICE uses its own digital tools, including the SmartLINK app, to manage monitoring and reporting duties – but this is unrelated to the community alert system, which operates independently.
Suffolk County ICE Alerts — Q&A for Long Island Readers
Q: What does the tracker app do?
A: It sends real-time alerts to users about reported ICE activity – locations, times, and sometimes images – based on community reports.
Q: Who developed the app?
A: The app was created by Islip Forward, a Long Island-based community advocacy organization focused on immigrant rights.
Q: How many people are using the app?
A: Local sources report it has been opened tens of thousands of times since its January launch.
Q: Where have alerts been most frequent?
A: Reports have come from across Suffolk County, with noted activity in Brentwood and Huntington.
Q: Why is the app needed?
A: Advocates say it helps inform immigrant families about nearby enforcement, reducing fear and helping them avoid ICE activity.
Q: Has there been community response?
A: Yes. On June 24, hundreds attended a protest rally in Brentwood opposing ICE presence and urging stronger local protections.
Q: How accurate are the alerts?
A: The app only pushes notifications after sightings are verified by moderators reviewing reports and images submitted by users.
Q: Is this affiliated with ICE?
A: No. ICE uses its own internal tools like SmartLINK; this tracker is an independent, community-driven tool.
Q: What has been the official reaction?
A: ICE has not commented on the community tracker. County-wide, officials have noted community concerns; however, no formal policy changes have been enacted.
Q: How does this affect immigrant services?
A: Some community organizations report fewer visits to service centers and businesses due to heightened anxiety about enforcement .
Q: Where can users download the app?
A: It’s available through local advocacy groups; users are encouraged to verify listings with Islip Forward or community coalition sources.
