As protesters clashed with police outside Manhattan’s ICE facility, 23 were arrested for attempting to block federal agents from removing illegal immigrants who violated Biden-era asylum provisions.
Key Takeaways
- Twenty-three protesters were arrested outside a Manhattan ICE facility after attempting to block vans transporting detained migrants following courthouse apprehensions.
- ICE detained multiple migrants, including a 20-year-old Venezuelan student named Dylan, as part of President Trump’s “expedited removal” policy targeting illegal entrants under the previous administration.
- Plainclothes, masked ICE agents conducted the operation at 26 Federal Plaza, detaining at least six migrants and a Queens pastor.
- Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman criticized the operation as “gestapo-like behavior,” while ICE officials defended their actions as lawful enforcement of immigration procedures.
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch clarified that while police cannot participate in civil immigration enforcement, they will continue targeting criminals regardless of immigration status.
Chaos Erupts as ICE Detains Migrants at Manhattan Courthouse
Mass arrests occurred at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Manhattan as protests intensified following the detention of several migrants at a federal courthouse. The confrontation escalated when activists attempted to block ICE transport vehicles, resulting in violent clashes with police who were enforcing crowd-control measures. Plainclothes, masked officers were reportedly involved in the arrest of at least six migrants and a pastor from Queens at 26 Federal Plaza, part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to enforce immigration laws.
According to eyewitness accounts, ICE agents conducted a targeted operation that shocked even those familiar with the facility. A man identified only as Ben, who works near the facility, expressed his surprise at the scale and nature of the operation. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve been working here for a couple years and I’ve never seen this many agents, let alone agents dressed in plain clothes, wearing masks, pulling people out of line. It’s totally out of the ordinary,” said Ben.
Venezuelan Student’s Case Sparks Outrage
At the center of the controversy is Dylan, a 20-year-old Venezuelan immigrant and NYC public school student, who was detained by ICE after attending a federal immigration court hearing. Advocates claim Dylan entered the United States legally under the previous administration’s asylum program and was complying with all legal requirements when he was apprehended. Since his detention, Dylan has reportedly been moved to four different states by ICE and is currently being held in western Pennsylvania.
“Dylan has been tricked, trapped and kidnapped. He was doing everything the right way,” said Power Malu, immigrant rights activist. “He came here legally. We need to make clear he came through a port of entry, asylum seeker and has work authorization, social security, Everything that he needs to do to be compliant and make sure he’s on the path to immigration status, he’s been doing. He’s been going to his court hearings and that’s exactly what he did in this situation.”
Following Dylan’s detention, demonstrators organized rallies at the NYC education department and held a vigil outside the immigration court, demanding his immediate release. The situation escalated when protesters attempted to block ICE vans transporting detained migrants, resulting in physical confrontations with authorities as barricades were breached. Police responded with pepper spray according to witness accounts, leading to 23 arrests, with 18 protesters later released with summonses.
Political Reactions and Official Statements
The enforcement actions have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic politicians and immigrant rights activists. Rep. Dan Goldman condemned ICE’s methods in particularly strong terms. “This is gestapo-like behavior where plain-clothes officers wearing masks are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court, following up on their immigration proceedings, and trying to come into this country lawfully,” said Rep. Dan Goldman.
ICE officials have defended their actions as part of President Trump’s strategy for expedited removal of illegal entrants who arrived under the previous administration. Marie Ferguson, an ICE spokesperson, clarified the legal basis for the detentions. “ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been. If they have a valid credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation,” said Marie Ferguson.
Meanwhile, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that while city police officers are prohibited from participating in civil immigration enforcement, they remain committed to maintaining public safety. “We have been very clear and consistent on this, and our officers understand that this is a red line we cannot cross. At the same time, we will continue to target criminals, regardless of their immigration status,” said Jessica Tisch.
Former Trump Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed on Fox News that deportations are being increased nationwide, with over 1,000 teams targeting individuals deemed public safety threats. This operation appears to be part of the broader immigration enforcement strategy promised during President Trump’s campaign to address the massive influx of illegal immigrants that occurred during the previous administration.
