Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in New York City on Tuesday evening after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided the Chinatown neighbourhood over the sale of counterfeit goods, detaining an unknown number of people. The protests erupted near the 26 Federal Plaza Immigration Building, where chants such as “ICE out of New York” and “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA” were heard.
Videos of the operation showed masked, armed federal agents zip-tying a man and pushing back onlookers, while an armoured military vehicle was seen on the streets. Witnesses reported that more than 50 agents took part in the raid, which targeted a well-known area for counterfeit handbags, accessories and jewellery, often sold to tourists. At least seven individuals were seen being taken into custody.
The Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, said the operation was “targeted, intelligence-driven” and focused on criminal activity related to counterfeit goods. She added that rioters became violent, obstructed law enforcement and assaulted officers, with one person arrested for assaulting a federal agent. Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition estimated that 15 to 40 vendors were arrested, and condemned the raid as something not seen in a democracy.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasised that the city does not cooperate with federal law enforcement on civil deportations, and said undocumented New Yorkers pursuing their American Dream should not be targeted. The NYPD distanced itself from the raid, but onlookers noted that NYPD riot police arrested several protesters. Local council member Christopher Marte said he was alarmed by the number of weapons pointed at bystanders.
Mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, along with Governor Kathy Hochul, criticised the Trump administration over the raid. Mamdani called it “aggressive and reckless”, Cuomo said it was “an abuse of federal power”, and Hochul remarked that agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders, asserting that such actions do not make New York safer.
