We do not provide legal advice. They called the police, who arrived and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Justice for Migrant Families WNY is working to bridge the gap between the undocumented community and the larger Buffalo and immigrant community, in order to defend the human and civil rights for all immigrants in Buffalo. (WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING SUPPLY DONATIONS!)
On August 2016, Orchard Park residents (a suburb of Buffalo) saw a group of Latino men playing basketball and speaking Spanish
. Rather than close the inquiry as a case of racial profiling, they called CBP/ Border Patrol, who arrested all of the young men, many of whom were teenagers. Then, on October 18th, 2016, ICE raided four Mexican restaurants in Buffalo, NY, supposedly because the owners were not paying taxes. They went in with guns and dogs, made the workers get down on the floor, and tore apart their workplaces as well as their homes. They took college money belonging to one of the worker’s children, who is a full citizen, and put other young children into foster care. This was the largest workplace raid in years and it was like a tornado that passed through, affecting families, livelihoods, college plans and traumatizing those involved. We are still, as a community, dealing with the far-reaching consequences. Now, under the current administration, we are seeing even more dire consequences. The week of February 23rd a community leader in the farmworker community, José Coyote Perez, was detained by ICE for reasons that are unclear. Over thirty people have been rounded up from random locations by Border Patrol and at least one more restaurant’s workers have been targeted by ICE in the past month. The enforcement is random, illogical, and is increasing fear and all immigrants abilities to go to work, school and fulfill daily tasks without increasing anyone’s safety. Buffalo faces unique problems as a border city, and there is a complex array of city and county law enforcement, Border Patrol (CBP), and ICE. On the legal front immigration is determined not only by enforcement practices, but by priorities as put forth by both the U.S. Attorney’s office and also the office of Homeland Security Investigation. There are only 26 HSI offices nationwide, and only two in New York State- Buffalo, and NYC. This adds up to a truly complicated and not necessarily logical picture of how immigration law enforcement actually plays out, to the detriment of the large immigrant community here. Additionally, the head of the local HSI office authored policy under the Bush administration that led to massive and egregious workplace raids. There has been limited attempt to understand issues on the Northern Border as part of a more comprehensive picture, and building the local infrastructure would allow us to connect with and plug in to regional work across the border. It is our hope that as we build out this network we begin to untangle this complicated picture and determine where and how we can best protect immigrants’ human and civil rights.
08/19/2026
We're excited to announce that JFMF is an official non-profit partner for this year's Borderland Festival!
We'll be on-site at Borderland Festival all 3-days, September 18th through 20th at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora!
Come see us! Grab your passes today at borderlandfestival.com and come listen to some great music and support JFMF at the same time.
08/18/2026
The proposed expansion of the Batavia Federal Detention Facility has everything to do with what’s happening at 250 Delaware Avenue.
250 Delaware is at the center of ICE’s surveillance, detention, and deportation operations across Buffalo, Western New York, and communities throughout New York.
The fight to evict ICE from 250 Delaware and the fight against the expansion in Batavia are the same fight.
Tell Uniland to End the Lease with ICE
Do you hate ICE? Then we need your help proving it is an unpopular opinion to have ICE headquartered at 250 Delaware Ave in downtown Buffalo. Don’t live in Buffalo? Anyone in NYS can sign, as this impacts us all as this headquarters is in charge of state wide ICE operations. Why would a private bu...
08/14/2026
TONIGHT: JFMF’s 3rd annual Carne Asada takes place in the courtyard of Trinity Episcopal Church (371 Delaware Ave)!
Come celebrate another year of community and building a world rooted in equity, dignity, justice, and radical welcome for people who migrate.
Delicious food, lawn games, and a chance to be with one another.
We’d love to see you there!
07/16/2026
It's 716 Day! Is there anything more Buffalo than welcoming our neighbors into the community?
Please consider supporting JFMF so we can continue providing mutual aid, resources, and support to Buffalo's immigrant communities. Every dollar counts.
Thank you, Buffalo! 🦬
04/06/2026
We are hiring for 2 positions! JFMF is looking to hire a Community Organizer and an Office and Operations Manager! Visit justiceformigrantfamilies.org/work-with-us for more information on how to apply!
03/18/2026
Each week we highlight ways to apply pressure on our government to pass key legislation and
stand in solidarity with the Rohingya community.
This week, we call for community education and support.
Behind every headline are real people and real community. We can start by educating ourselves on the Rohingya people, their history, and their culture. Learn more and take action!
03/13/2026
🚨CALL TO ACTION🚨
Check Link in Bio.
This report was curated by University at Buffalo’s Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab. Justice for Migrant Families of WNY and .buffalo716 support the Food Lab’s efforts!
03/11/2026
Week 2 of our 40 Days of Action for Nurul Shah Alam is here. This week we continue to take action.
Buffalo demands justice. No more collusion between BPD, ICE, CBP.
Buffalo demands access. Attorneys for immigrant families. Check out these posts to take action with us.
03/04/2026
Don’t let Nurul Shah Alam’s story be another passing headline. Swipe through to see how you can help!
02/27/2026
Rest in peace and power, Mr. Shah Alam. Keep an eye out for more calls to action soon
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