UPDATE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has drastically altered its detainment tactics, now rounding up entire families for questioning at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City. This shift follows the chaotic ICE raid on Canal Street earlier this week and has heightened fears among immigrants attending court.
Witnesses report that masked agents are employing a stealthier approach, taking families into custody without physical confrontation. Just last week, a family—including a father, mother, and two young children—was stopped immediately after leaving a courtroom. One agent remarked, “Did you think we were going to do that? We wouldn’t do that,” before another agent insisted, “We need to ask you some questions,” leading the family into an elevator. Their current fate remains unknown.
This alarming tactic, which has escalated in the aftermath of violent arrests at immigration courts, is causing significant distress among those attending hearings. “Detaining entire families, even temporarily, represents a serious escalation of tactics,” said Peter, a court observer dedicated to tracking ICE detentions. He emphasized that when families disappear into the federal plaza, they lose access to crucial resources for support post-detention.
On October 23, 2023, Congressman Dan Goldman made a surprise visit to the immigration court, confronting ICE agents and demanding to see their identification. As families streamed out of the courtroom into the hallway, one father holding his child was abruptly stopped, prompting his wife to scream for mercy. The situation intensified as press photographers captured the moment. Eventually, the agents let the family go, but not without causing panic among the other families who scrambled for the elevators, desperate to escape.
Another incident occurred the same day when a woman was approached by federal officers who rifled through her paperwork. Although they deemed her not the target, the encounter left her in tears, highlighting the pervasive atmosphere of fear surrounding immigration proceedings.
As this situation unfolds, public officials continue to exert pressure on ICE. City Comptroller Brad Lander also made a surprise appearance, reinforcing the call for transparency in ICE’s operations. The response from elected officials reflects growing concerns over the treatment of families during these detentions.
With these developments, community advocates and observers worry that the new strategy may be aimed at evading scrutiny while further traumatizing vulnerable families. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated; local and national leaders are called upon to address the implications of these changes in ICE’s approach.
Authorities are now urging those affected to report any incidents of ICE interaction and seek legal assistance. As the story develops, officials and advocates alike are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting the need for humane treatment of families caught in the immigration system.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical issue impacting immigrant communities across the United States.
