New ICE Vehicles Spotted In Central Islip As Agency Cites Nationwide Growth

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A fleet of Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles was seen being transported and later fueled near the federal courthouse in Central Islip this week, as the agency confirmed it is expanding its resources nationwide.

Photos taken over the past several weeks, including images shared by advocacy group Islip Forward, show multiple ICE-branded Ford Police Interceptor SUVs arriving on carrier trucks and later parked near the U.S. District Court in Central Islip.

On March 23, several agents were observed fueling the vehicles at a nearby gas station.

The activity follows previously documented deliveries of ICE vehicles to the Central Islip federal court complex in January and February.

In a statement to Patch, an ICE spokesperson confirmed the vehicles are part of a broader nationwide expansion of the agency’s fleet.

“ICE is a law enforcement agency, and like all other law enforcement agencies has a fleet of vehicles that includes those with ICE branding,” the spokesperson said. “These specific vehicles will supplement the existing ICE fleet and support operations across the country.”

The agency did not confirm how many vehicles were delivered to Central Islip or whether they are tied to any specific enforcement activity on Long Island.

“While ICE cannot comment on current operations or future operational planning, every day, DHS conducts law enforcement operations nationwide to protect public safety,” the spokesperson said.

The statement also said ICE has recently increased its workforce and resources, including additional vehicles funded through federal legislation.

"ICE will continue to make arrests routinely across the United States," a spokesperson said. "Approximately 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, child exploitation, and gang activity. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country. That’s a 120% increase in our workforce. And that’s in just about four months. Funding for these new vehicles came from the bill.”

The sightings in Central Islip come as residents and Islip Forward have reported an increased ICE presence in communities, including Brentwood and Central Islip, in recent weeks.

Officials have not announced any specific new enforcement initiatives tied to the area, and it remains unclear how or when the vehicles observed this week will be deployed.