The Department of Homeland Security escalated its crackdown on dissent as 11 New York City elected officials were arrested during a protest at a federal immigration holding facility. The arrests occurred Thursday after lawmakers demanded access to restricted areas within Lower Manhattan’s federal building, sparking an hour-long standoff.
Among those detained were city Comptroller Brad Lander and state Senators Jabari Brisport, Gustavo Rivera, and Julia Salazar, along with Assemblymembers Robert Carroll, Emily Gallagher, Jessica Gonzalez Rojas, Marcela Mitaynes, Steve Raga, Tony Simone, and Claire Valdez. Protesters gathered outside the 10th-floor holding area, banging on locked doors and chanting before being restrained in zip ties. All 11 were later released.
Gonzalez Rojas described the protest as a response to the arrest of Dino, a Queensboro restaurant worker from Jackson Heights, calling it “one of many stories in my community.” Mitaynes, representing Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, addressed the crowd in Spanish. The demonstration followed a federal court order mandating improved conditions for immigration detainees, with officials seeking compliance with a preliminary injunction against overcrowding and unsanitary practices.
The protest involved over 75 individuals, including city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was also arrested. Lawmakers had previously clashed with DHS authorities, with Lander detained earlier this month after intervening in an arrest. The standoff highlighted tensions over transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement.