Federal immigration agents arrested multiple illegal vendors on Canal Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by law enforcement officials.
Sources indicated that ICE agents arrived on the scene around 4 p.m., targeting the busy block between Lafayette and Center Streets, which is known for shops selling counterfeit goods.
Some vendors tried to escape, with several seen rushing away and falling as agents approached. According to reports, a handful of individuals were taken into custody while officers conducted ID checks.
“I witnessed it all happen, right there. They started grabbing people and putting them into vans,” remarked Kayden Cummings, 23, from Manhattan.
Edwin Jean, from Brooklyn, shared that he was handcuffed by federal agents after he declined to present identification.
He reportedly became upset, cursing at the agent. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m from Brooklyn,” Gene stated, adding, “They asked for my ID, and when I didn’t give it, they put me in handcuffs.”
This operation marked a significant event for the area, as many locals noted that they had never seen such enforcement actions in Manhattan before.
By Tuesday evening, approximately 100 individuals gathered outside 26 Federation Square in protest of the arrests.
The NYPD clarified in a statement that they were “not involved in the federal investigation that took place this afternoon on Canal Street.”
As of now, representatives for ICE have not provided comments regarding the incident.
