NEW YORK – An immigration enforcement operation that sparked spontaneous protests on Manhattan’s Canal Street resulted in the arrests of 14 people, as announced by federal authorities Wednesday. Among those arrested were several demonstrators accused of assaulting or obstructing agents.
On Thursday, crowds of angry New Yorkers surrounded federal agents as they began questioning and detaining street vendors along the well-known shopping strip famous for selling counterfeit goods. The presence of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers triggered immediate backlash from locals and activists.
Typically, law enforcement raids aimed at counterfeiting occur on Canal Street, but this particular operation—a display of numerous federal agents in action—prompted immediate protests. Many bystanders, apparently returning home from work, joined the protests, shouting at agents and even blocking their vehicles. In response, federal agents attempted to disperse protesters, sometimes using force and threatening them with stun guns and pepper spray.
According to Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, nine people were arrested during the immigration sweep. I Four additional individuals were detained for allegedly assaulting federal officers, while another was charged with obstructing law enforcement.
McLaughlin described the operation as “a targeted, intelligence-driven” approach aimed at addressing criminal activity related to counterfeit goods. She noted some of the arrestees had prior accusations of robbery, burglary, domestic violence, and drug trafficking.
The enforcement action was triggered after videos surfaced on social media showing men selling merchandise along Canal Street, shared by conservative influencers. This drew criticism from Democrats in the New York City mayoral race, including Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who labeled the move as 'authoritarian theatrics fueling fear rather than safety.'
Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, clarified that the police department had no involvement in the operation and emphasized that his administration's focus is not on undocumented individuals pursuing opportunities but on violent criminals.
