ICE raids in NYC Chinatown lead to chaotic protests, dozens arrested
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In federal raids in New York City Chinatown, targeting criminal activity linked to the sale of counterfeit goods, erupted into chaos on Friday as protesters clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, prompting city officials to say they had no role in the operation.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that ICE and federal partners conducted a “targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation” on Canal Street focusing on criminal activity related to the sale of alleged counterfeit goods.
“During this law enforcement operation, the rioters, who were yelling obscenities, became violent and obstructed law enforcement duties, including blocking vehicles and assaulting law enforcement,” McLaughlin wrote in a statement. “Already, one rioter has been arrested for assaulting a federal officer.”
During a press conference Tuesday night, Murad Avwadeh, Vice President of Advocacy New York Immigration CoalitionSaid 15 to 40 vendors were arrested, and at least two locals were detained for protesting and blocking their arrest efforts.
On Tuesday, federal agents conduct an immigration sweep on Canal Street in Chinatown as protesters gather in New York. (Jake Offenhartz/AP Photo)
City officials Quickly moved away from the raid.
Mayor Eric Adams‘ Press Secretary Kayla Mameluk Altus told Fox News that New York City “never cooperates with local law enforcement on civil deportation cases” and “has no involvement in this matter.”
“Mayor Adams made it clear Unofficial New Yorkers “Trying to pursue the American Dream should not be the goal of law enforcement and resources should instead be focused on violent criminals,” she said.
City officials said police are monitoring the situation near Canal Street and 26 Federal Plaza but “the information is under control.” However, if the situation escalates and an individual attacks or interferes with a legitimate law enforcement action, Adams asks the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to intervene.
There have been several multi-agency enforcement actions on Canal Street this year, and any illegal activity should be addressed by the NYPD.
The NYPD Strategic Response Group monitors the crowd outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City on Tuesday. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“We saw what looked like tanks on our streets,” said New York City Public Attorney Jumane Williams. “We saw people who were armed and strategized for vendors, which was planned. Many of you had advance notice that this was going to happen. They were targeting black vendors on Canal Street in this case. This is what happened… None of this is about public safety. This is about fear and chaos.”
He added that it gives him hope that, in a few months, he believes “we will have a mayor who really cares about the people of New York and who will join us here.”
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Federal agents and law enforcement stand outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City on October 21, 2025. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
Samajwadi mayoral candidate Johran Mamdani X weighed in, calling the Manhattan raid “aggressive and reckless.”
“Federal agents from ICE and HSI — some wearing military fatigues and masks — descended on Chinatown today, conducting aggressive and reckless raids on migrant street vendors,” Mamdani wrote in a post. “Once again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theater that creates fear, not security. It must stop.”
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for further comment.
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“Let’s be clear, street vendors are not a national security threat,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “They are not a threat to national security… There is no excuse for sending national law enforcement vehicles for military-style vehicles and street vendors, whether they come from social media or otherwise.”
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DHS said it will release additional details about the arrested offenders as they become available.
ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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