❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal raid in New York City’s Chinatown led to the arrests of nine illegal migrants from West Africa and four protesters accused of obstructing law enforcement.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Migrants from Senegal, Mali, and Guinea; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents; protesters; and New York City officials.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood, specifically on Canal Street.
💬KEY QUOTE: “During this law enforcement operation, rioters who were shouting obscenities, became violent and obstructed law enforcement duties, including blocking vehicles and assaulting law enforcement.” – DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin
🎯IMPACT: The operation highlighted tensions between federal law enforcement and local officials, sparking criticism from activists and politicians.
On Tuesday, a federal operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in New York City’s Chinatown led to the arrest of nine illegal immigrants from Senegal, Mali, and Guinea, who were allegedly involved in selling counterfeit goods. Additionally, four protesters were detained for reportedly interfering with law enforcement by blocking vehicles and throwing objects.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the raid “targeted” and “intelligence-driven,” aimed at addressing criminal activity tied to counterfeit goods. “During this law enforcement operation, rioters who were shouting obscenities, became violent and obstructed law enforcement duties, including blocking vehicles and assaulting law enforcement,” McLaughlin noted. “Already, one rioter has been arrested for assault on a federal officer.”
Murad Awawdeh, vice president of advocacy at the New York Immigration Coalition, stated during a news conference that between 15 and 40 vendors were arrested, along with two local residents protesting the operation. City officials, including a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams, stressed their adherence to local, anti-borders “sanctuary” policies, noting that New York City does not assist federal authorities with civil deportation actions.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democrats’ socialist mayoral candidate—himself a Ugandan immigrant—condemned the raid as “aggressive and reckless” in a post on X. “Once again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop,” he declared.
Notably, Mamdani is on record as favoring defunding the police and abolishing prisons and ICE.
NYC: Arrests and Clashes as protesters STAND OFF with ICE agents during a RAID on Canal Street
Video by @FreedomNTV Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/UKYsfwM8nT
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) October 21, 2025
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.