Envelope Containing ‘White Powder’ Discovered at New York City ICE Facility

Evacuations at Federal Plaza in NYC Due to Suspicious Envelope

On Thursday, the 26 federal plaza buildings in New York City, which are home to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were evacuated after officials discovered an envelope containing “white powder.”

The Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building, located at Fourley Square in Manhattan, often serves various government agencies and has recently garnered attention as ICE agents made quick arrests of undocumented immigrants post-hearing. In a statement, DHS confirmed the evacuation due to the unidentified substance, noting that as of Thursday evening, there were “no signs of danger.”

DHS stated, “ICE is responding to an ongoing emergency at 26 Federal Plazas,” explaining that an unknown material was found within one of the ICE chambers. Given the situation’s seriousness, federal buildings were evacuated to ensure safety. Part of the evacuation is in line with established safety protocols.

The department reassured the public, emphasizing that there were currently no threats to safety, but encouraged community members to stay away while emergency responders handled the situation.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the situation on social media, stating that no injuries had been reported. He addressed New Yorkers, saying he was aware of the unfolding issues at 26 Federal Squares and aimed to offer reassurance regarding the ongoing investigation.

According to reports, the envelope was located on the ninth floor of the building where ICE operates. New York City Vice Mayor Kazu Dirtley mentioned during a press conference that authorities are still waiting for test results regarding the envelope’s contents.