ICE Alters Tactics: Families Taken Into Custody at 26 Federal Plaza

UPDATE: New tactics employed by ICE agents have emerged as families are now being taken into custody for questioning at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City. This shift follows a chaotic ICE raid on Canal Street earlier this week, which has left many in the immigrant community feeling anxious and vulnerable.

Sources confirm that masked ICE agents are now rounding up multiple families at a time, marking a significant change from their previous aggressive approach. Witnesses report a growing atmosphere of fear within Lower Manhattan’s immigration courts as this new strategy unfolds. The latest incidents occurred just days after the violent arrest on October 17, 2023, when agents clashed with individuals in the Chinatown area.

One particularly alarming incident involved a Russian man who, accompanied by his wife and two young children, was stopped immediately after exiting a courtroom. Although initially told they would not be detained, another agent quickly intervened, stating, “We need to ask you some questions.” The family was then ushered into an elevator, leaving their fate uncertain.

The atmosphere in the immigration court has been described as increasingly tense. A woman waiting for an elevator broke down in tears after being approached by ICE agents who rifled through her paperwork. Although she was eventually released, the emotional toll of such encounters is significant.

Court observer Peter, who tracks ICE detentions, expressed his concerns over the new tactic of detaining entire families. “This represents a serious escalation of tactics,” he stated. He emphasized that when families are taken without proper support, they are left without essential resources post-detention.

On October 23, 2023, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman made a surprise visit to the immigration court, demanding to see the agents’ badges and their affiliations. His presence coincided with a particularly distressing scene where families rushed out of the courtroom, only to find themselves confronted by ICE agents. A father holding a child was stopped, prompting his wife to cry out for help. The distressing situation underscored the urgent need for oversight.

As pressure mounts on ICE, City Comptroller Brad Lander also made an appearance, emphasizing the critical need for accountability. These interventions highlight a growing concern among local politicians regarding ICE’s evolving tactics and the impact on immigrant families.

The new approach of taking entire families into custody has raised alarms, with community advocates fearing the implications for those involved. The emotional strain on families facing such uncertainty continues to grow as more incidents unfold within the federal plaza.

As this situation develops, observers are calling for increased transparency and accountability from ICE agents. The community remains on edge, with many now questioning the safety of their families amid these aggressive detentions.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.