04.12.2025 19:45
The city of Paterson in New Jersey, which hosts the largest Turkish population in the United States, was shaken by one of the most extensive immigration operations in recent years. In Paterson, where the Turkish population makes up about 20% of the city with approximately 30,000 people, a large-scale raid conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has caused concern among the Turkish community living in the area.
The city of Paterson in New Jersey, USA, is experiencing great concern due to a series of recent immigration operations. Known as the city with the highest Turkish population in the country, the presence of ICE teams conducting identity checks on the streets and raiding numerous homes and businesses has created serious unease among the Turkish community in the area.
Shopkeepers say, "Customers are not coming, everyone is hesitant to go outside," while it has been claimed that among those detained are Turkish citizens. It has been reported that the number of detained Turks is between 8 and 10 people.
According to eyewitness accounts, ICE teams stopped and questioned passersby, entered some businesses and homes for identity checks, and detained many individuals.
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO GO OUT
There are many Turkish businesses around Main Street. Local shopkeepers state that after the operation, the streets have emptied and the number of customers has sharply decreased.
Some shopkeepers express, "People have practically locked themselves in their homes, no one wants to step outside," indicating that the operation has created deep unrest in the immigrant-dense neighborhood.
The Turkish community is worried that "Our door could be knocked at any moment" due to both the allegations of detentions and the aggressive nature of the identity checks. Many Turkish families living in the city are seriously concerned about the continuation of the operations and the impact on their children's daily lives.
UNEASE IS GROWING
Paterson is known as the city with the largest Turkish population in the USA. Therefore, the scope and method of the operation have raised the question among the Turkish residents in the area, "Are we being targeted?"
Community representatives are demanding a clear statement regarding the detentions and information about the legal rights of immigrants living in the area.