New York City Mayor Eric Adams has publicly stated that federal immigration enforcement operations should not target undocumented immigrants living in the city. His remarks followed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that took place Tuesday afternoon in the Chinatown neighborhood.

Adams shared a statement from the New York Police Department (NYPD), which clarified it had “no involvement in the federal operation that took place on Canal Street this afternoon.”

Quoting the NYPD’s post, Adams emphasized, “New York City does not cooperate with federal law enforcement on civil deportations, in accordance with our local laws.”

He added that his administration remains firm in its position, “Undocumented New Yorkers trying to pursue their American Dreams should not be the target of law enforcement, and resources should instead be focused on violent criminals.”

It is worth noting that the New York mayor's post on the matter has since been deleted.

The NYPD had no involvement in the federal operation that took place on Canal Street this afternoon.

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 21, 2025

NYPD says it had no role in Canal Street operation

The NYPD’s swift statement came amid public outcry over the ICE raid, which took place in a busy section of Canal Street known for selling counterfeit goods, including handbags and jewelry. The area is frequented by tourists and locals.

ICE agents raided Chinatown’s Canal Street on Tuesday afternoon, detaining several street vendors in an operation that drew immediate and fierce backlash from bystanders and immigrant advocates.https://t.co/oCNwAFWfft pic.twitter.com/JNe0q09pTg

— amNewYork™ (@amNewYork) October 21, 2025

Related News

From local to federal: How US Police became Trump’s 'political force'

ICE fears empty Chicago’s Mexican independence parade

While the federal operation reportedly targeted counterfeit sales, the aggressive manner of the arrests and the involvement of heavily armed agents raised immediate concerns. Videos posted to social media show masked federal officers zip-tying individuals, pushing away bystanders, and moving through the streets with what appeared to be an armored vehicle.

BREAKING: In an unbelievable moment, angry New York City residents witness ICE detaining people on Canal Street, and chase them out of the area, chanting "ICE GO NOW!"

New York is fed up with Trump's fascism! pic.twitter.com/Lt9qu9uwsf

— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) October 21, 2025

Witnesses said over 50 agents were involved, and at least seven people were seen taken into custody, although the total number of arrests made remains unknown.

Read more: Judge delays NY mayor's trial, rejects immediate dismissal request

Protesters march following raids in Chinatown

The raids quickly sparked protests across Manhattan. By Tuesday evening, hundreds of demonstrators had gathered outside the 26 Federal Plaza Immigration Building, where detainees were believed to be held. Protesters chanted slogans like “ICE out of New York” and “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA.”

ICE agents raided lower Manhattan this afternoon, rounded up street vendors along several blocks of Canal Street, from Church St. to Lafayette St., on the borders of SoHo, Tribeca and Chinatown.
Newyorkers quickly surrounded the agents trying to stop the detentions. pic.twitter.com/wRYIk5tUct

— (((Orchid)))🌻 (@OrchidNYC) October 22, 2025

Tensions flared as protestors confronted federal agents, with one woman shouting, “Is this worth the paycheck? Selling your soul?” as officers moved detainees away.

Eyewitness accounts painted a tense and chaotic scene as federal immigration enforcement agents conducted arrests in one of Manhattan’s most crowded commercial districts. Onlookers were alarmed not just by the scale of the operation, but by the presence of military-style vehicles and aggressive tactics used against both suspects and nearby pedestrians.

ICE agents raided lower Manhattan this afternoon, rounded up street vendors along several blocks of Canal Street, from Church St. to Lafayette St., on the borders of SoHo, Tribeca and Chinatown.
Newyorkers quickly surrounded the agents trying to stop the detentions. pic.twitter.com/wRYIk5tUct

— (((Orchid)))🌻 (@OrchidNYC) October 22, 2025

While ICE said the raids were related to counterfeit goods, advocates and city officials questioned the use of force and the potential targeting of undocumented immigrants in a city that officially limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Adams reiterated that New York City would remain committed to protecting undocumented residents from civil deportation actions, in line with local sanctuary laws.

Read more: Nearly half of FBI agents reassigned to support ICE immigration effort