Masked Federal Agents Carry Out Multiple Raids Across Riverhead

On Dec. 29, 2025, Riverhead streets were the scene of coordinated federal immigration enforcement that witnesses say unfolded across multiple locations beginning about 7:30 a.m. Eyewitnesses and volunteers documented at least three arrests: one on East Main Street; another in front of Oscar’s Deli on Pulaski Street, where witnesses identified a man as Byron Villavicencio who was taken into custody; and two men who were boxed in and detained at a traffic light on Route 58. At one point a 15-year-old Riverhead High School student was briefly stopped and questioned before being released.

Witnesses described agents in tactical gear wearing vests labeled "POLICE" and "ERO" (Enforcement and Removal Operations) and operating several unmarked SUVs and a white van. Agents were also seen pursuing people into wooded areas behind local businesses during the morning actions. New York State troopers were observed on the scene; state troopers said they had not been notified in advance and were not assisting in the enforcement actions, but they permitted federal agents to use a police-only parking lot behind the State Police barracks. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to requests for comment.

The operation has immediate implications for public safety and community trust. Stops near schools and the detention of a minor for questioning, though brief, deepen concerns among parents and education officials about notification and student protection during federal actions. For immigrant families, the presence of masked, tactical-clad agents in neighborhood commercial corridors heightens fear of arbitrary contact and may discourage routine interactions with government services and civic institutions.

There are institutional and policy questions that local officials will need to press: what legal authority and information-sharing protocols governed the operation; whether warrants were executed and how local law enforcement was informed; and what measures are in place to protect minors and ensure access to counsel for detainees. Community groups and immigrant legal advocates have also warned families to be vigilant about scammers who exploit detainees’ relatives.

The raids may carry political and civic consequences in Suffolk County. Disruptive enforcement tactics can suppress participation in public life by eroding trust in government institutions, complicating voter outreach, and chilling interactions with local services. County and town leaders should seek clear answers from federal agencies about the scope and justification for the actions, and public schools and service providers should review response protocols for future incidents.

Residents affected by the raids and those with information about the events are urged to contact local immigrant advocacy organizations and legal aid services to ensure detainees have access to representation and families are protected from fraud. Local officials must balance enforcement responsibilities with transparency and safeguards that protect civic engagement and community safety.