Protesters in New York's Chinatown clashed with federal agents on Saturday, blocking a garage where ICE agents were supposedly preparing to conduct an immigration enforcement operation. The standoff began around 11 a.m., when demonstrators gathered outside the government building and formed a human barricade at the entrance to the garage.
The protesters threw debris and garbage bags onto the street in an attempt to prevent federal vehicles from exiting, effectively halting what appeared to be a planned raid on the area. However, things escalated when agents burst out of the garage, prompting chants of "ICE out of New York" from the crowd.
In the chaos that followed, at least nine people were arrested and taken into custody by police. The incident came just weeks after another large-scale immigration raid in Lower Manhattan last month, which saw over 50 federal agents arrest nine men on charges related to counterfeit goods.
The NYPD has since released statements condemning the violence and urging protesters to disperse. Department of Homeland Security officials claim that protesters' actions were violent and aggressive, and that their tactics put officers at risk.
Critics argue, however, that the ICE operation would have likely targeted low-level immigrants, many with no prior criminal record, and that the NYPD's collaboration with federal agents is a threat to public safety. Local leaders, including City Council member Julie Menin, have called for an end to all collaboration between the NYPD and ICE.
In response, DHS officials claimed that they will continue to enforce immigration law, stating that anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between immigrant rights groups and federal authorities in New York City, where President Donald Trump's administration has long been targeting Democrat-run cities with aggressive immigration enforcement operations.
The protesters threw debris and garbage bags onto the street in an attempt to prevent federal vehicles from exiting, effectively halting what appeared to be a planned raid on the area. However, things escalated when agents burst out of the garage, prompting chants of "ICE out of New York" from the crowd.
In the chaos that followed, at least nine people were arrested and taken into custody by police. The incident came just weeks after another large-scale immigration raid in Lower Manhattan last month, which saw over 50 federal agents arrest nine men on charges related to counterfeit goods.
The NYPD has since released statements condemning the violence and urging protesters to disperse. Department of Homeland Security officials claim that protesters' actions were violent and aggressive, and that their tactics put officers at risk.
Critics argue, however, that the ICE operation would have likely targeted low-level immigrants, many with no prior criminal record, and that the NYPD's collaboration with federal agents is a threat to public safety. Local leaders, including City Council member Julie Menin, have called for an end to all collaboration between the NYPD and ICE.
In response, DHS officials claimed that they will continue to enforce immigration law, stating that anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between immigrant rights groups and federal authorities in New York City, where President Donald Trump's administration has long been targeting Democrat-run cities with aggressive immigration enforcement operations.
just saw this news and I'm like totally shook - what is going on with all these ICE raids?! 
it feels like they're still enforcing those same policies from the Obama era... anyway, I think it's super problematic that the NYPD is collabing with federal agents on immigration enforcement. We need to be protecting our communities, not putting them at risk of being deported 
also, what's up with these massive raids? Can't we just have a more humane approach to dealing with undocumented immigrants? 
this is so disturbing... i mean, i get that people are upset about ICE operations but violent clashes? it's not gonna solve anything... 
and what really bothers me is that local leaders are calling for an end to collab between NYPD and ICE but nobody's talking about alternative solutions 
like community-led organizations that can help resolve immigration issues in a more humane way... 
we need to focus on finding peaceful solutions, not resorting to violence 
These ICE ops are so scary and hurt innocent ppl 
. What's the point of targeting low-level immigrants who don't even know they're in trouble? 
It's like, can't we focus on solving real problems instead of chasing people around? 
I feel so bad for the protesters who got arrested 
. We need to stand together as a community and support each other 
. Can't we just have peace in our city? 
they're throwin trash bags and stuff at the agents and the agents are respondin with pepper spray and batons... like wut is goin on?!
they gotta stand up against ICE and show that this ain't welcome in nyc 
i mean, we all know about trump's policies and how he's been targetin democrat-run cities with these raids... it's like, hello, can't we just coexist?!
. I mean, people are literally fighting against ICE agents over immigration enforcement, and it's just getting more intense every day 
. It's like, we can't let fear and anger dictate our actions 
i cant even believe wat happend in NYC yesterday! ICE agents r tryna raid Chinatown & protesters stop dem like for real 
but then things got super intense 
but at da same time, i gotta ask why is ICE always tryna raid immigrant communities like dat? 
. NYPD & City Council members are all 4 da ppl too 
let's keep fighting 4 our rights! 
. Another day, another clash between protesters and the man... I mean, ICE agents 
It's all just a mess, if you ask me 
. I mean, come on, can't we just have a calm and peaceful conversation about immigration reform instead of resorting to violence? Nope, didn't think so 
can't we just coexist?! i feel so bad for the people who got arrested, they were just trying to stand up against something that seemed unfair 
anyway, i hope everyone involved stays safe and we can find a way to resolve this peacefully 
.
. Newsflash: we know better than that. The NYPD needs to take a hard look at its collaboration with ICE, it's only gonna end in more hurt people