A dramatic video from Wednesday morning in Washington Heights shows federal agents pulling a man from his car while bystanders record the scene. Someone in the crowd shouts, “Show your face!”
According to the police, the agents, who appeared in civilian clothing with “HSI” on them (referring to Homeland Security Investigations), tried to extract a man from a black SUV at the intersection of West 157th Street and Broadway.
In the captured footage, the man is seen crying during the altercation. City Councilman Sean Abreu, who represents the surrounding area, also shared the video.
The video depicts a small group of onlookers, including a parent with a child carrying a backpack, while someone loudly calls out, “Show me your face! Show me your face!”
Minutes prior, masked ICE agents had removed someone from the vehicle at that same intersection. Abreu urged the community to be aware and vigilant.
New York City police responded briefly after a 911 call reported four “suspicious” men with guns involved in pulling another man from a car, which law enforcement described as a “shooting incident.”
Two NYPD officers sustained minor injuries during the chaotic scene, while armed ICE agents, after identifying themselves, stepped back.
Cesar Cortez, a 36-year-old man from Guatemala, was reportedly taken into custody. Notably, the NYPD is not allowed to participate in immigration enforcement and cannot assist federal agents during arrests.
This incident follows the election of Zoran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as New York City’s next mayor, who aims to challenge President Trump’s strict immigration policies. Trump has threatened to halt federal funding to Mamdani if he takes office.
At the time of reporting, neither ICE nor HSI had commented on the matter. Abreu expressed concern, stating, “This video of someone being pulled off the street in front of his neighbors is deeply disturbing. ICE and other federal agencies carrying out President Trump’s policy of detaining people without due process have no place in our cities.” He further condemned the intimidation tactics and assured his office was working to uncover more details about the morning’s events, urging community vigilance.
