At least 80 people were arrested Tuesday night as thousands of demonstrators filled Foley Square and marched through Lower Manhattan, rallying against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies.
Spurred by recent events in Los Angeles — where federal immigration raids sparked mass protests and a military deployment — New York activists gathered in solidarity, demanding an end to the escalating deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Aerial footage from NewsCopter 7 showed a sea of protesters flooding Foley Square, just steps from where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been conducting operations. The crowd later moved west through Tribeca, eventually reaching a federal immigration court believed to be a hub of recent migrant detentions.
“I feel a responsibility to stand up for those living in fear,” said demonstrator Denisse Mejia. “This crisis is personal for so many of us — it’s heartbreaking.”
Tensions rose as protesters clashed with police, leading to a Level 3 mobilization around 9 p.m. The protest officially dispersed after midnight, and most of those arrested are expected to be processed and released without major charges.
The demonstrations drew political attention as well. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is currently running for mayor, accused the NYPD of sharing information with ICE — a practice she called “deeply disturbing.” She has requested a formal investigation by the city’s Department of Investigation.
Mayor Eric Adams’ office dismissed the allegations, suggesting they were politically motivated. “This is nothing more than an attempt to score cheap political points,” a spokesperson said.
Further protests are expected. Two City Council members plan to hold a press conference Wednesday morning to denounce President Trump’s travel ban and the arrests made during Tuesday’s protests. Demonstrators have also announced a return to Foley Square at 5 p.m. to continue their resistance.
Monday’s protests had already resulted in over 30 arrests, marking a second consecutive day of unrest in New York City amid growing backlash to federal immigration policy.
