Protests break out after ICE conducts raids in NYC’s Chinatown

Protests erupted in New York City’s Chinatown on Tuesday after ICE agents launched a surprise immigration raid on Canal Street. Federal officers detained several people in what officials described as a sweep targeting undocumented vendors allegedly linked to illegal street sales. The scene turned chaotic as protesters surrounded agents, attempting to block detentions. An armored vehicle and heavily armed officers were later deployed, escalating tensions in the heart of Manhattan. City officials distanced themselves from the operation, with the NYPD stating it had “no involvement", while Mayor Eric Adams reaffirmed that New York “does not cooperate with federal law enforcement on civil deportations.” Adams added that undocumented New Yorkers “trying to pursue their American dreams should not be the target of law enforcement.”