Federal agents shut down Canal Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Tuesday afternoon during a sweeping ICE raid targeting illegal street vendors.
The raid began around 3pm near Lafayette and Center streets, a stretch known for street vendors selling luxury goods.
ABC’s helicopter captured arrests unfolding as witnesses described chaos as vendors fled on foot, some falling as agents pursued them.
By late afternoon, the operation expanded east toward Walker Street.
At least four individuals were detained, according to Gothamist reporters on the scene, while others were questioned and released after showing identification.
NYPD has confirmed on X that they ‘had no involvement in the federal operation that took place.’
A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement to ABC7 echoing the same sentiment: ‘We never cooperate with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters, in accordance with local laws, and have no involvement in this matter.’
Canal Street remains closed as the investigation continues.
Federal agents shut down Canal Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Tuesday afternoon during a sweeping ICE raid targeting illegal street vendors
ABC7’s helicopter captured arrests unfolding as witnesses described chaos as vendors fled on foot, some falling as agents pursued them
Gothamist reported a bag vendor sprinting up and down Canal Street shouting ‘ICE is here’ and pointing to unmarked cars.
Nearby, protestors closed in on federal agents, chanting ‘f— ICE!’ as phones went up to record the arrests.
Agents continued handcuffing and detaining men amid the chao
On Sunday, reporter Savanah Hernandez said that a large group of street vendors, many identifying as migrants from Senegal, were operating an unlicensed market near Broadway and Canal Street.
‘This corner looks exactly like the streets of Paris and the migrants even became angry and tried to tell me I couldn’t film (similar to Paris), she wrote on X.
‘As I was reporting, the migrants began scrambling to pick up their items before fleeing into vehicles or on foot due to police presence in the area.
‘One of the migrants explained to me that they’re operating ‘without a license’ and if the police catch them, they’ll confiscate all of their items.
‘There were at least 20-30 illegals in the area conducting business that they know is against the law, however, this seems to be a common occurrence on this street and business is booming.’
The raid comes amid rising political tension as immigration laws tighten under Donald Trump’s presidency
She concluded: ‘Perhaps @ICEgov should go check this corner out.’
The raid comes amid growing political tension as immigration laws have tightened under Donald Trump’s presidency.
U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, recently urged the NYPD to arrest federal agents if they break state laws during detentions, a proposal welcomed by civil rights advocates but questioned by legal experts who doubt it could withstand legal scrutiny.
Meanwhile, millions of people took part in No Kings protests in liberal cities across the country this weekend, from Portland Oregon to New York City.
Demonstrators gathered to protest against Trump and his administration’s aggressive deportations, which they view as anti-democratic and illegal.
Trump responded by sharing an AI video of himself as a fighter pilot launching manure at No Kings protesters.
He also refuted the premise of the protests. ‘They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,’ the president told Fox News.
