ICE Agents Question Youth Baseball Team New York, Los Angeles Amid Rights Concerns

In late June and early July 2025, youth baseball coach Youman Wilder encountered agents claiming to be from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while coaching middle and high school students in Riverside Park, Manhattan. The agents questioned the children about their origins and parents, prompting Wilder, who has a law background, to advise the children to exercise their constitutional rights and not answer, as all the children are American citizens by birth. Wilder reported that the officers became confrontational, accusing him of obstructing justice and threatening arrest, while local officials like Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal supported Wilder’s stance and expressed concern about the intimidation of children. Despite requests, ICE has not officially confirmed their presence at the park, and questions remain about the legitimacy of the agents involved. This incident is part of a broader pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics under President Trump’s administration, including militarized operations like the recent show-of-force sweep in MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, targeting immigrant communities. Critics, including civil rights groups, highlight the psychological impact on children and the community, emphasizing the need for awareness of constitutional protections against unlawful questioning and detention.