Federal Arrests in Manhattan Over ICE Protest
On Thursday, federal authorities apprehended 11 Democratic election officials in Lower Manhattan following their request to enter the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
The protests began after a federal judge mandated improvements to conditions in the tenth-floor holding area of 26 Federal Plaza. A lawmaker attempted to check compliance, but officials from the Department of Homeland Security barred entry, leading to arrests. Meanwhile, officers from the New York Police Department detained several individuals outside amidst a lockdown.
“This afternoon, I, along with dozens of New Yorkers, was arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience, advocating for oversight of ICE’s inhumane detention practices,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaanne D. Williams in a statement.
Multiple arrests of officials and immigration advocates taking place now pic.twitter.com/r86xmjc4eu
– Kellymena (@kellymena) September 18, 2025
Among those detained was Mayor Brad Lander, who was apprehended inside the ICE office. Williams was detained outside with other protesters, which was captured on video.
US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan had issued a temporary injunction the day before, requiring ICE to improve holding area conditions, which are due for a review in August. The order prohibits cramped and unsanitary confinement, mandates regular attorney communication, and calls for better provisions for detainees, such as adequate space, sanitary items, and timely access to phones.
The scrutiny of the 26 Federal Plaza holding areas arose from a lawsuit concerning the alleged conditions within. Judge Kaplan indicated that the plaintiffs might succeed in their claims that their constitutional rights were being violated.
This latest series of arrests follows an earlier incident in June when Lander was temporarily detained by ICE agents during another confrontation at the same location.
The agency has not yet disclosed details about the protest or the total number of illegal demonstrators involved.
