The Trump administration announced on Friday that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer was involved in an incident where a woman was pushed to the ground in a New York courthouse, prompting public outcry.
“What we see in this video is completely unacceptable,” officials stated. They emphasized that ICE personnel must adhere to high professional standards, and the officer in question has been removed from duty while a comprehensive investigation unfolds.
A video circulating on social media captured the altercation on Thursday. In it, the woman was seen confronting the ICE officer, who was then isolated. Masked personnel can be observed carrying a man away while more women and children attempted to reach the detained individuals.
Following this, the woman reportedly told the officer in Spanish, “You don’t care.” The officer replied with “Adios, adios,” as she seemed to place her hands over her chest.
Then, the officer forcefully pushed the woman down the hallway, causing her to fall. She was later ordered to leave, while nearby a girl was seen crying. People began to urge the officers to let the woman exit the building.
The video does not clarify if there was additional physical interaction between the woman and the officer prior to the push.
This incident sparked strong reactions from New York City officials and Congressional Democrats.
New York City Director Brad Lander, who had earlier been detained by an ICE agent, noted that he was present during the incident at 26 Federal Plaza. He described the officer’s actions as violently throwing the woman to the ground in front of children.
“She never posed a threat and hadn’t touched him,” Lander, an outspoken critic of ICE, expressed. “She should have been dealt with compassion, not force.”
Representative Dan Goldman remarked on the situation, identifying the woman as Monica, and noted that she came to his office with her two children.
“This is an unacceptable action by this ICE agent. Secretary Noem must ensure appropriate disciplinary measures are taken to prevent a recurrence,” Goldman stated on social media, referring to the Homeland Security Secretary.
Goldman welcomed the decision to place the officer on leave, adding that measures must be implemented to avoid such incidents in the future, whether in New York or elsewhere in the country.
Monica shared that she and her family fled Ecuador in 2024, saying, “We faced violence there too. I never imagined I would come to the US and experience something similar.” This was reported by Propublica.
The courthouse in Manhattan houses both an ICE field office and an immigration court, where ICE officials have detained dozens of migrants attending hearings this year.
