New York City ICE Raid Nets 9 Arrests of West African Migrants
A recent ICE raid in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood has resulted in the arrest of nine migrants from West Africa who were in the United States illegally. The migrants, hailing from Senegal, Mali, and Guinea, were apprehended for allegedly selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street ¹ ².
*Arrests and Protests*
Four protesters were also taken into custody for allegedly blocking ICE agents and throwing objects at them during the operation. According to authorities, the protesters had criminal backgrounds. The raid, conducted by ICE and federal partners, aimed to target criminal activity related to the sale of counterfeit goods ² ³.
*Community Reaction*
The raid drew criticism from local officials and advocacy groups. New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ press secretary, Kayla Mamelak Altus, stated that the city “never cooperates with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters” and emphasized the need to focus on violent criminals rather than undocumented immigrants pursuing the American Dream ¹ ².
*ICE and DHS Response*
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the operation as “targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement” aimed at combating counterfeit goods sales. She also noted that some individuals became violent during the operation, obstructing law enforcement duties and assaulting officers ².
*Ongoing Tensions*
The raid highlights the ongoing tensions between federal authorities and local governments over immigration policies. As the situation continues to unfold, community leaders and advocacy groups are urging calm and calling for more nuanced approaches to immigration enforcement ⁴.
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