NEW YORK — Protesters angered by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and deportations of immigrants rallied outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan on Saturday in an attempt to stop vehicles exiting the building they believed had detainees in them, though authorities did not confirm if that was the case.

The protests in New York, outside the building where immigration hearings are held and the site of numerous recent detentions of immigrants, occurred as across the country in Los Angeles protesters clashed with federal and local authorities and Trump federalized the California National Guard to quell the protests there over the objections of local officials and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Many at the protest in New York cited their outrage that federal immigration enforcement has targeted two high school students in the city seeking asylum in recent weeks.

What You Need To Know

  • Protesters angered by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and deportations of immigrants rallied outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan on Saturday where immigration hearings are held and the site of numerous recent detentions of immigrants
  • They attempted to stop vehicles exiting the building they believed had detainees in them, though authorities did not confirm if that was the case
  • Many at the protest in New York cited their outrage that federal immigration enforcement has targeted two high school students in the city seeking asylum in recent weeks

  • The protests in New York occurred as across the country in Los Angeles protesters clashed with federal and local authorities and Trump federalized the California National Guard to quell the protests there over the objections of local officials and California Gov. Gavin Newsom

“It's just inhumane," protester John Mark Rozendaal told Spectrum News NY1. "No matter what these people's papers are in, they are human beings and do not deserve this kind of maltreatment.”

The Department of Homeland Security thanked the NYPD for responding to the protests on social media, describing them as “riots” and contrasting the response in New York with Los Angeles. DHS pinned the crowd in Manhattan at more than 150. The NYPD said 22 people at the protest were taken into custody, with 13 being issued summons and nine arrested and charged with criminal offenses, though police did not specify the charges as of Sunday morning.

“Secretary Noem’s message to rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” DHS said.

An 11th grader from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens who appeared for a routine immigration hearing was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week, according to state Sen. Mike Gianaris and city schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

"It's just flagrant to see and incredibly dangerous to see ICE operate in the way that they are here across the city of New York and the state of New York and across the country," Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said. "They continue to run afoul of the law.”

Last month, Dylan Contreras, a student at Ellis Prep High School in the Bronx, was also attending a scheduled immigration court hearing, but ICE was waiting for him. He was detained and is still being held in Pennsylvania.

The New York Immigration Coalition has advice for others who may have court dates.

"Well in this moment, we're asking all immigrants who are weary about their immigration court hearing or their check in to either, you know, get their own immigration lawyer or call the New York State Office of New American's hotline number for legal consultations," said Awawdeh. "They understand what their options are in this moment. It's critically important that people seek out trusted immigration attorneys in this moment"

In a statement, Aviles-Ramos said the city school system’s “policies have not changed: schools are and will continue to be safe, welcoming spaces for every child…. We urge families to keep sending their children to school, where they belong.” She noted the student was not detained at his school.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our students was detained by ICE while attending a legal hearing to seek asylum,” the schools chancellor said. “This young person should be returning home from school today, surrounded by family — not facing detention.”

In Contreras’ case, the city has filed an amicus brief in support but it’s unclear what action if any the city will take in the case of the Queens student detained last week. 

Mayor Eric Adams’ office said in a statement that “we are aware of and concerned about an incident involving a public school student who was reported to be detained after attending an immigration court hearing, and we are gathering additional information.”

“As Mayor Adams has said repeatedly, our city is less safe when people are afraid to use public resources — including going to their court hearings — and thus feel forced to hide in the shadows,” the City Hall spokesperson said.