The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently intensified immigration enforcement operations in New York City and across the country, triggering protests in response. On Saturday, June 7th, a protest took place outside the Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan. Enforcement officers on the scene arrested over 20 protesters who were attempting to obstruct immigration enforcement actions.
According to the New York City Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), around 150 protesters gathered outside the immigration courthouse building in downtown Manhattan on Saturday. Some individuals sat on the roadway and set up obstacles, blocking enforcement officers and vehicles from entering and exiting. Video footage online shows that law enforcement and DHS personnel repeatedly asked the protesters to leave, leading to some pushing and shoving. Eventually, at least 22 individuals were arrested on charges of obstructing traffic, with some facing criminal charges.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin stated in a release that ICE will continue to enforce federal immigration laws, and any actions that obstruct law enforcement officers will be legally pursued. According to the DHS, instances of violence against enforcement officers during their duties have significantly increased in recent years.
One of the catalysts for the protest was the detention of minors by immigration enforcement officers outside immigration court buildings. Officials in New York City and the state confirmed that a high school junior from Queens was detained by ICE following a hearing at the immigration court. Last month, Dylan Contreras, a student at Ellis Prep High School in the Bronx, was also arrested outside an immigration court and is currently being held in Pennsylvania.
New York City Education Director Melissa Aviles-Ramos emphasized in a statement that school policies have not changed, and campuses remain safe and welcoming for all students. She urged parents to continue sending their children to school and clarified that the students in question were not arrested on school premises.
Immigrant rights organizations have expressed concerns about these events. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) urged immigrants to seek professional legal assistance before attending hearings and to utilize the state’s legal consultation hotline to protect their rights.
Police indicated that in recent days, immigrants have been detained at various immigration enforcement locations in New York City, including courts and check-in offices, after routine procedures. According to legal groups, some detainees had been wearing electronic monitoring devices and checking in regularly, raising questions about the legitimacy and humanity of such enforcement actions.
Protests have not been limited to New York City. Over the weekend, protests against ICE enforcement erupted in Los Angeles, leading to multiple clashes between local police and federal personnel with demonstrators. The White House recently directed ICE to ramp up nationwide enforcement, setting a goal of daily arrests of 3,000 individuals. Reports suggest that over 100,000 immigrants have been detained across the country this week.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City released a statement pointing out that if people avoid attending court or utilizing public resources out of fear of enforcement, it will impact community safety. The city government will continue to gather relevant information and monitor the developments following the student arrests.