Multiple arrests made after anti-ICE protesters clash with police in Manhattan's Chinatown
Multiple people were arrested Saturday in Chinatown after anti-ICE demonstrators clashed with NYPD officers while blocking streets and a garage entrance used by federal agents.
November 30, 2025 - 07:55 AM ET • 2 min read
Multiple people were arrested Saturday afternoon in Lower Manhattan's Chinatown after an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstration escalated into clashes with New York Police Department (NYPD) officers.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered near Centre Street around noon to protest apparent federal immigration enforcement activity in the area. The protest focused on a parking garage at Centre Street and Howard Street, which protesters believed was being used by ICE agents preparing for an operation or raid. Protesters were heard chanting "ICE out of NYC."
According to the NYPD, protesters blocked streets, building entrances, and exits. The situation grew heated when demonstrators converged on the garage, blocking a convoy of what appeared to be federal vans attempting to exit. Authorities said video from the area showed demonstrators throwing objects at officers, blocking police vehicles, throwing planters, and jumping over barricades.
NYPD officers arrived and instructed the crowd to disperse multiple times. When the demonstrators refused to comply, officers began making arrests. Those taken into custody were arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to comply with police instructions, authorities said.
The incident immediately drew criticism regarding the role of city police in federal immigration enforcement. The New York Immigration Coalition issued a statement accusing the NYPD of colluding with ICE, arguing that such coordination violates New York City's sanctuary protections.
The NYPD, however, denied any coordination with the federal operation. Police officials stated they were responding solely to a call regarding a "disorderly group blocking the street and garage entrance."
The area has been a site of increased federal law enforcement activity in recent weeks, including ICE operations reported near Canal Street.
Sources familiar with the incident reported that the special agent in charge of the New York Homeland Security Field Office, Ricky Patel, contacted NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch later Saturday afternoon to apologize for what transpired. Commissioner Tisch reportedly told Patel that the events were "unacceptable."