Federal immigration authorities conducted a targeted operation in Chinatown’s Canal Street on Tuesday, arresting several individuals, including illegal vendors and protesters, according to law enforcement sources. The operation, aimed at cracking down on illegal street vending, took place around 4 p.m. between Lafayette and Centre streets, an area known for its busy market filled with counterfeit designer goods.
As ICE agents moved in, some vendors attempted to flee, with some running and falling as the agents closed in. The scene quickly turned chaotic, as protesters shouted obscenities, blocked vehicles, and clashed with federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the confrontation, noting that at least one individual was arrested for assaulting a federal officer during the operation, which involved multiple federal agencies.
Bystanders, particularly during the arrest of one vendor, became incensed, shouting at ICE agents and accusing them of being Nazis and fascists. According to AMNY, the situation escalated as ICE agents began forcibly subduing individuals, which led to more protesters joining the fray. Federal officers responded with riot shields and batons, reportedly striking some protesters to regain control.
The exact number of arrests, including how many were vendors and how many were protesters, has not yet been confirmed. However, a number of bystanders were detained, including one man, Edwin Jean from Brooklyn, who was briefly handcuffed for refusing to show his ID. He was seen swearing at the agents as they detained him.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with individuals being dragged into vans by ICE agents, and some onlookers reacting with anger and frustration. By Tuesday evening, around 100 people gathered outside 26 Federal Plaza to protest the arrests, with more shouting “ICE out of New York” at the site where multiple immigration detentions took place.
NYPD officers were present at the protest, though they stated on social media that they had "no involvement in the federal operation" on Canal Street. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner for NYC mayor, criticized the raid as an "aggressive and reckless" action against immigrant street vendors, accusing the Trump administration of using "authoritarian theatrics."
Mayor Eric Adams also distanced himself from the operation, emphasizing that city officials did not cooperate with federal law enforcement in civil deportations. In a statement on social media, Adams reiterated that the city's stance is to not target undocumented immigrants pursuing their American dreams and that resources should focus on violent criminals rather than individuals engaged in street vending.
This incident marks a significant clash between federal immigration enforcement and local officials, reflecting ongoing tensions over how immigration laws are enforced in New York City.
