Community Protests Erupt After ICE Raid in New York City's Chinatown

Community Protests Erupt After ICE Raid in New York City's Chinatown

New York City, NY – October 22, 2025 A large crowd gathered in protest on Tuesday evening following a federal immigration enforcement operation earlier in the day in the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan. The operation, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted vendors allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit goods.

According to witnesses, dozens of federal agents—some masked and heavily armed—conducted the raid in a well-known area near Canal Street, where counterfeit handbags, accessories, and jewelry are often sold. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later confirmed that the action was part of an ongoing investigation into counterfeit merchandise and involved multiple federal agencies, including ICE, the FBI, and U.S. Border Patrol.

While officials have not confirmed the number of individuals detained, community organizers and local media reported that between 7 and 40 people may have been taken into custody. Videos circulating online show agents restraining individuals and using force to clear the area, drawing significant public concern.

In the hours following the raid, demonstrators gathered outside 26 Federal Plaza, where they believed detainees were being held. Protesters chanted slogans and held signs criticizing the use of federal power in immigrant communities. Community leaders expressed outrage at what they described as an excessive show of force.

Murad Awawdeh, Vice President of Advocacy at the New York Immigration Coalition, condemned the raid, saying it represented a troubling use of federal resources. “You don’t see these scenes in democracy. You see them in authoritarian regimes,” he stated during the protest.

City Council member Christopher Marte also voiced concern, particularly about the presence of weapons and military-style vehicles in a public commercial district. “The level of force used was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in our streets,” he said.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) clarified in a statement on social media that it was not involved in the federal operation. However, some bystanders noted the presence of NYPD officers during the protests, and several arrests were reportedly made during the demonstrations.

Mayor Eric Adams reaffirmed that New York City does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement on civil deportation matters. “Our administration has made it clear that our priority is public safety—not targeting undocumented residents who are part of our community,” Adams wrote.

Other elected officials also expressed opposition. State Governor Kathy Hochul, along with city council members and mayoral candidates, described the raid as unnecessarily aggressive and politically motivated. "You don’t make New York safer by targeting street vendors and immigrants," Hochul tweeted.

    Enforcements and Protest

Tuesday's raid is part of a broader pattern of heightened federal enforcement in urban areas, particularly in immigrant-rich communities. Similar operations have taken place in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, often followed by public demonstrations and calls for immigration reform.

This was not the first such raid in New York this month. On October 16, federal agents reportedly conducted a separate operation at a migrant shelter in Midtown Manhattan, marking what some advocates see as an escalation in immigration enforcement under the current federal administration.

Reports from across the country have highlighted concerns about the use of force during ICE operations, with several incidents resulting in injury or controversy. Advocacy groups continue to call for greater oversight and a more humane approach to immigration enforcement.

As the city continues to grapple with questions around immigration, public safety, and federal authority, community voices remain strong in advocating for the rights and dignity of all New Yorkers. The situation remains fluid, with investigations and legal proceedings likely to follow.

The sources: The-Guardian , foxnews