Thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to protest against an operation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that led to the arrest of nine African immigrants accused of selling counterfeit goods in Chinatown. The raid, carried out by masked agents, ignited a wave of indignation in a city that defines itself as “sanctuary” and that he refuses to cooperate with federal authorities.
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“ICE has taken control across the country. Now they’ve arrived in New York, and here we are telling them they have to leave,” shouted Lorelei Crean, an 18-year-old student, during the march in front of the 26 Federal Plaza building, where immigration hearings are held. The demonstrations spread through several streets, with banners demanding “ICE out” y “New York defends its immigrants”.
The director of the agency, Todd Lyonsjustified the operations by pointing out that the number of arrests will increase due to the lack of cooperation from the police. However, community and religious leaders, accompanied by City Council President AdrienneAdams, condemned the actions. “We have come together in unity to send a clear message to the Trump administration: Get your hands off our city,” Adams stated.
The raids also marked the debate over New York City Hall. The three candidates – Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa – agreed to reject the intervention. Mamdani called ICE “a reckless entity,” while Cuomo and Sliwa argued that such operations should be the exclusive responsibility of local police.
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State Attorney General Letitia James asked citizens to denounce ICE activities with evidence, while the City Council prepares a conference to demand that President Trump not deploy National Guard troops.
In a context of growing national tension, New York stands once again as a symbol of resistance against Washington’s immigration policy.
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