D.C. Rapid-Response Erupts As ICE Surge Hits: 1,670 Hotline Calls, Bystanders Film Arrests

Washington, D.C. residents are mobilizing in response to an ICE surge, using a tip line that spiked to 1,670 calls since Aug. 11, filming stops and collecting detainee details to connect people with attorneys. Neighbors organized protests, walking buses for students, and Know-Your-Rights outreach amid concerns about MPD-ICE interactions and limited city guidance. Advocates urge bystanders to document safely without interfering and share verified reports so legal aid can reach detainees. The pattern aligns with an accelerating federal enforcement surge in the capital.