Arrests Made During Anti-ICE Protests at Lower Manhattan Federal Plaza

Anti-ICE Protest Erupts in Lower Manhattan

• ⚡ Protesters gathered outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan to voice concerns about ICE detainments and the Trump administration's immigration policies.
• ⚠️ The demonstration followed the arrest of a Dominican migrant, Waqen Rosario Espel, inside the federal courthouse the previous day.

Circumstances of the Arrest

• 🎯 DHS states Waqen Rosario Espel was in the U.S. illegally, resisted arrest, and allegedly punched an officer during his immigration proceedings, which had been dismissed.
• 🔍 Federal agents have reportedly been apprehending migrants near courthouses in Lower Manhattan throughout the week.

Protester Reactions and Demands

• 💬 Demonstrators expressed a desire for a change in policy and attitude towards migrants, criticizing the "criminalization" and "turning people into terrorists."
• 🇺🇸 One protester identified as an American with a long family history in the country stated this approach does not represent the America they want to live in.

Law Enforcement Response and Official Statements

• 🚨 The NYPD reported at least 17 arrests, with individuals taken into custody and issued summonses, though this number was preliminary and not yet official.
• ⚖️ A statement from Homeland Security asserted that officers are removing public safety threats and enforcing immigration laws, noting a significant increase in assaults against ICE officers.