A large-scale immigration enforcement operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal agents on Canal Street in Chinatown has ignited outrage and protests throughout Manhattan. The coordinated raid, which took place early Thursday morning, resulted in the detention of four U.S. citizens who, according to legal representatives, have not been charged with any crime.
Witnesses reported that federal officers surrounded several blocks along Canal Street, an area well-known for its street vendors and bustling trade in souvenirs and goods, some allegedly counterfeit. Videos shared online showed chaotic scenes as vendors attempted to flee and bystanders shouted at agents demanding explanations.
Community organizers say the raids were excessive and discriminatory, targeting vulnerable immigrant workers who depend on street vending as their primary source of income. “This was not law enforcement; this was intimidation,” said Mei Lin, a Chinatown business owner who joined the protests. “They came with force, not fairness.”
By late afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near Columbus Park, chanting against ICE and holding signs calling for justice and an end to what they described as “anti-immigrant crackdowns.”
ICE officials defended the operation, stating that it was part of an ongoing federal effort to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and enforce immigration laws. A spokesperson emphasized that the agency “remains committed to upholding U.S. law while ensuring that all enforcement actions are conducted within constitutional boundaries.”
City leaders, however, expressed concern about the scale and method of the raid. Councilwoman Grace Lee called for an immediate review of ICE’s tactics in New York City, arguing that “these actions undermine community trust and instill fear in neighborhoods already under economic stress.”
As tensions continue to rise, local advocacy groups are planning further demonstrations over the weekend, demanding transparency, accountability, and protection for street vendors and immigrant workers across New York City.
