A federal immigration officer in New York City was relieved of duty Friday after video emerged showing him pushing a woman to the ground outside an immigration court, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The footage, recorded at the 26 Federal Plaza building, shows the confrontation as agents attempted to arrest a man while members of his family – including the woman and her daughter – tried to stay close. In the video, the officer appears to grab the woman’s hair and shove her.
“The officer’s conduct in this video is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a statement. “Our ICE law enforcement are held to the highest professional standards and this officer is being relieved of current duties as we conduct a full investigation.”
Why It Matters
The New York City building that houses immigration courts and ICE holding facilities has faced increasing scrutiny since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January, with reports highlighting poor conditions and sudden arrests of immigrants attending regular check-ins. NYC Democrats have also been detained on at least two occasions while protesting or seeking access to the facility.
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What To Know
Footage went viral Thursday showing a woman in tears as her husband was detained by ICE agents in the hallway of 26 Federal Plaza, while their children watched. One officer was then heard saying “adios” before pushing her to the ground, despite reports indicating she did not physically engage with him or other agents.
The incident sparked immediate backlash from immigration advocates and Democrats, who called the officer’s actions unacceptable.
DHS’ decision to remove the officer from duty is particularly notable amid criticism that ICE has operated with limited oversight under the Trump administration.
New York City Democratic Comptroller Brad Lander, who has himself been detained twice at the Manhattan federal building, said on X that ICE agents were committing “lawless action” daily, and vowed to continue showing up in support of immigrants.
Similar confrontations have occurred in other cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, as demonstrators protest the enforcement of Trump’s immigration policies.
At the same time, DHS officials have argued that agents face increasing threats while on duty, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and McLaughlin blaming Democrats and immigration advocates for portraying federal law enforcement negatively.
What People Are Saying
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, on X: “I’m grateful that action is being taken to address yesterday’s violence at 26 Federal Plaza. When we insistently bear witness, there are limits to the cruelty people will support. Even Trump’s ICE can’t escape that indefinitely.”
New York House Democrat Dan Goldman, on X: “Glad to see Secretary Noem heed the calls I made yesterday for DHS to take disciplinary action against this agent after the outrageous assault against Monica and her children. The Secretary must take action to prevent something like this from happening again by DHS, here in NYC or anywhere in America.”
What’s Next
ICE arrests at Federal Plaza are expected to continue, while Lander and others pledge to keep protesting and advocating for improved conditions and accountability.
