D.C. Delivery Drivers Affected by Federal Police Operation

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WASHINGTON, Federal law enforcement activity in Washington, D.C., has had a noticeable impact on the city’s delivery driver community, with some workers staying off the streets amid increased police presence.

Since August 7, the Trump administration has initiated a federal operation involving the Metropolitan Police Department, federal agents, and National Guard members. The operation aims to address crime in the city, and officials report that hundreds of arrests have taken place during the enforcement period. According to a White House spokesperson, federal agents participated in 630 arrests, 40% of which involved individuals without legal status in the United States.

Local business owners have reported a decline in foot traffic. Kiros Gebretsadik, who operates a café near a Metro station, said walk-in business has dropped sharply. “We don’t have business. Nobody is walking around. I don’t know how we’re going to pay rent,” he said. Vendors on nearby sidewalks also noted fewer customers, attributing the change in part to delivery drivers limiting their activity.

Michael Lukens, executive director of the nonprofit Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, stated that some drivers are choosing to stay home due to concerns about federal enforcement. “We are seeing the delivery driver community being cautious,” he said, noting that federal agents sometimes accompany local police during traffic stops and other law enforcement operations.

Reports indicate that the federal presence has been highly visible in central areas, including near national landmarks, with some vehicles and personnel identifiable as National Guard or other federal agencies. Observers have noted interactions between federal agents and delivery drivers, including traffic stops and checks of immigration status.

The White House has emphasized the operation’s public safety objectives. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the arrests targeted individuals involved in criminal activity and that the enforcement is not focused solely on delivery drivers. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers noted that “hundreds of dangerous criminals” have been removed and that the initiative is part of broader efforts to address crime in the capital.

Several incidents have been recorded on video by bystanders, including interactions where individuals were detained and their legal status verified. In one case, a delivery driver was detained by federal agents after leaving a coffee shop; officials said the individual had previously entered the U.S. without authorization. Another instance involved a driver who was reportedly injured in a traffic incident and later handcuffed for transport to verify immigration documentation.

While the operation has led some workers to limit their activity, delivery services continue to operate in parts of the city. Some drivers have indicated they are legally authorized to work in the U.S. but are remaining cautious in areas with high federal enforcement presence.

Observers and advocacy organizations continue to monitor the situation, noting the balance between public safety objectives and the impact on immigrant communities, including the delivery driver workforce. Local business owners report ongoing challenges as customer traffic and commerce are affected by the increased federal presence.