Videos show impact of Trump's crackdown in one Washington DC neighbourhood

August 26, 2025

The Washington DC neighborhood of Columbia Heights, with one of the city's largest Latino populations, is experiencing a surge in immigration raids as part of the Trump administration's crime crackdown that began on August 11. Residents report streets becoming unusually empty as fear spreads through the community, with BBC Verify documenting numerous incidents including arrests, window-smashing, and people being forcibly removed from vehicles. Federal agents from ICE, FBI, and Homeland Security have been conducting operations in the area, resulting in nearly half of the 1,000+ citywide arrests being suspected illegal immigrants, according to White House figures.

Who is affected

Latino residents of Columbia Heights, particularly undocumented immigrants
Legal residents and citizens who feel increased anxiety despite having documentation
Local street vendors who have disappeared from their usual spots
Community members who previously participated in activities like soccer in local parks
Two Guatemalan men specifically mentioned as being arrested, including Erickson Sebastian Lopez-Castanon and Darwin Arahely Lopez-Castanon

What action is being taken

Federal agents from ICE, FBI and Homeland Security are conducting raids and arrests in the Columbia Heights neighborhood
Officers are surrounding vehicles, breaking windows, and forcibly removing individuals
Federal authorities are patrolling local parks where people gather
Local residents are protesting these operations, with some chanting "ICE go home"
Residents are warning each other about raids and advising people not to open doors

Why it matters

The crackdown is creating fear throughout the community, affecting daily life even for legal residents
Local streets and gathering places have become unusually empty, disrupting normal community activities
The operations appear to be part of fulfilling the Trump administration's goal of "3,000 arrests for ICE every day" and campaign pledge for "the largest mass deportation in history"
Immigration lawyer Austin Rose suggests authorities may be targeting asylum seekers to "fill their deportation quotas"
The neighborhood previously felt safe to residents but now some describe it as feeling like a "police state"

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC