New York City and state officials were among dozens arrested Thursday during a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 26 Federal Plaza, a downtown Manhattan facility that has faced months of controversy.
Protest and Arrests
Demonstrators staged an outdoor sit-in blocking the building’s driveway, demanding better treatment for detainees. Another group entered the 10th floor, insisting on seeing conditions inside before they, too, were arrested.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 71 people were taken into custody, including two state senators and nine state Assembly members. DHS also confirmed the building went on lockdown later due to a bomb threat.
Chopper footage showed protesters with their hands zip-tied behind their backs as police escorted them to waiting buses.
Lawmakers Say Oversight Was Their Goal
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams confirmed he was among those detained, describing his actions as “nonviolent civil disobedience to demand oversight of ICE’s inhumane detention practices.”
“Together with the dozens of New Yorkers getting arrested today, I call for all levels of government to do what they can to support our immigrant communities and vulnerable, marginalized populations,” Williams said.
Other officials arrested included Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán.
González-Rojas said lawmakers were attempting to inspect conditions for compliance with a court injunction issued just one day earlier.
“We put our bodies on the line for the lives and freedom of thousands of New Yorkers who have been illegally kidnapped and detained by ICE,” she said.
All detained officials were later released.
Lander said authorities refused to let them inspect the 10th floor:
“They were laughing on the other side. The cruelty on display in those courts and on the 10th floor is really clear. We made it clear we weren’t leaving until they let us see, and eventually they came and arrested us.”
Speaking afterward, Williams emphasized:
“Vulnerable communities are in danger. And, in history when we see this happening, what we know is that people who have a little bit more privilege have to do a little bit more to protect those who don’t.”
Cabán added that scapegoating marginalized groups is making communities less safe.
DHS Response
DHS officials condemned the demonstration.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary, called it “a stunt in an attempt to get their 15 minutes of fame while endangering DHS personnel and detainees.”
She accused protesters of obstructing law enforcement, saying:
“The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens. This type of rhetoric is contributing to the 1000% surge in assaults of ICE officers through repeated vilification and demonization of ICE.”
ICE also stated that federal officials cannot access the 10th floor holding cells, since they are classified as temporary facilities, not detention centers.
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