Overview
- Homeland Security said ICE and partner agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI and CBP conducted the operation focused on counterfeit-goods sales in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
- Federal authorities reported 14 arrests in total, including nine people detained in the sweep and five accused of assaulting or obstructing agents during ensuing clashes.
- Videos and eyewitness accounts showed masked tactical agents, an armored DHS vehicle, and the use of batons and pepper spray as protesters tried to block vehicles and intervene.
- City and state officials condemned the tactics, with the NYPD stating it had no involvement and Mayor Eric Adams reiterating that New York does not cooperate on civil deportations.
- Reporting noted that viral posts by conservative influencer Savanah Hernandez preceded the action, while ICE acting director Todd Lyons signaled similar street-level operations are forthcoming.