By Akemi Tamanaha

On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided Canal Street, a popular shopping hub in New York City’s Chinatown.

According to Gothamist, more than two dozen federal law enforcement officials participated. They wore face coverings and vests labeled “police” or “police federal agent.”

Officers arrived around 3 p.m., amNY reports, and began questioning street vendors. Many vendors attempted to pack up their stations and flee. Gothamist reporters say several people were restrained. One man was released after he showed identification.

A photo taken by amNY journalist Dean Moses shows an Asian man with glasses being detained and dragged away by agents.

Council Member Christopher Marte, who represents the area that was raided, condemned ICE’s actions.

“ICE has no place in New York City, especially not in the heart of Chinatown, terrorizing our immigrant neighbors with military vehicles and masked agents,” Marte said in a statement, per amNY. “This kind of escalation is unnecessary, unacceptable, and antithetical to our city’s values as a sanctuary for all people.”

Marte also criticized Mayor Eric Adams for “collaborating with federal immigration authorities” and deploying the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group alongside ICE agents.

The city has said it is working to gather more information about the raid. It sent staff to monitor Canal Street after hearing that protestors were gathering.

To read the entire article: https://asamnews.com/2025/10/21/new-york-chinatown-immigration-arrest-operation-vendors/

Photo credit: m01229 from USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons