EDISON, N.J. — A violent immigration raid at Smart Logistics, a warehouse linked to Amazon and other major companies, has left 29 undocumented workers arrested and three injured, sparking outrage across New Jersey and immigrant communities nationwide.
Federal Agents Storm Warehouse
This Article Includes
- 1 Federal Agents Storm Warehouse
- 2 Related posts
- 3 Illinois Physician Krishnaswami Sriram Sentenced to 34 Months for Tax Evasion and Medicare Fraud
- 4 Families Watch in Fear
- 5 Loophole Behind the Raid
- 6 Trump’s Escalating Crackdown
- 7 Democrats Under Fire
- 8 Detainees Disappear Into the System
- 9 Broader Political Fallout
Around 10 a.m. Wednesday, nearly 20 armed and masked ICE and CBP agents stormed the Edison facility, sealing all exits. Witnesses reported chaos as workers tried to escape — some climbed into rafters, while drones were deployed to track them.
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One worker was slammed to the floor and cuffed
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Another was left bleeding
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A third fell from a stairwell, sustaining injuries
“This was extremely violent,” said Amanda Dominguez of advocacy group New Labor.
Families Watch in Fear
As the raid unfolded, family members and activists gathered outside the warehouse, watching as ICE interrogated every worker.
Employees with proper documents were ordered to wear yellow wristbands before being released, while others were taken into custody.
“This isn’t just an attack on immigrants — it’s an attack on working-class people,”
Dominguez added.
Loophole Behind the Raid
The Edison warehouse’s CBP-bonded status allowed federal agents to enter without a warrant under “inspection” authority — a loophole ICE has increasingly exploited.
New Jersey and New York City have nearly 80 such warehouses, all potential targets. A similar raid at Alba Wines & Spirits in Edison last month led to 20 arrests.
Trump’s Escalating Crackdown
The raid follows Trump’s March 2025 executive order: “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.” The order grants ICE and CBP sweeping powers to bypass constitutional protections.
Critics warn these aggressive tactics aim to normalize extrajudicial enforcement, instill fear, and erode democratic rights — part of a broader push toward authoritarian control.
Democrats Under Fire
Local and state Democratic leaders face backlash for silence and cooperation:
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Gov. Phil Murphy admitted his administration “cooperates with federal authorities all the time.”
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Rep. Mikie Sherrill remained silent.
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Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim dismissed the raids as “performative theatrics.”
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Edison Mayor Sam Joshi acknowledged police were informed beforehand but didn’t intervene.
In Trenton, local police even assisted ICE during a house raid, later arresting an activist who demanded to see a warrant.
Detainees Disappear Into the System
ICE transferred detainees without notifying families. Advocacy group Cosecha-NJ reported some were sent to:
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Newark ICE facility
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Elizabeth Detention Center
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Delaney Hall, where riots broke out earlier this year over food shortages and abuse
Most arrested workers are from Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru.
Broader Political Fallout
Activists warn the Edison raid signals a nationwide escalation:
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Trump has deployed troops to Washington, D.C., and threatened action in Chicago and other “sanctuary” cities.
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The State Department announced continuous surveillance of all 55M U.S. visa holders, raising concerns about permanent tracking.
Critics argue these raids are part of a larger strategy to create police-state conditions, disproportionately targeting immigrants and working-class communities while benefiting major corporations.
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