Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters clashed with New York City police on Saturday in Lower Manhattan, leading to multiple arrests. The demonstration outside the U.S. General Services Administration building on Centre Street involved protesters dressed in black clothing with backpacks, face masks, and goggles, who threw trash, barricades, and debris at officers.
Authorities reported that many demonstrators were organized through social media and deliberately obstructed federal officers, blocking access points. ICE Public Affairs Assistant Director Emily Covington highlighted the risks faced by officers and noted that assaults against ICE personnel have increased sharply. She added, “We will never apologize for enforcing the law and removing criminal illegal aliens including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists from our communities.”
Federal authorities noted that New York City jails currently hold 7,169 criminal illegal aliens, including hundreds of murderers and sexual predators. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin urged local officials to honor ICE detainers, warning that noncompliance requires additional federal law enforcement to remove dangerous individuals from city jails.
The events illustrate ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and New York’s sanctuary city policies, as protests, law enforcement, and federal officials continue to clash over immigration operations and public safety.
