Dozens Arrested After Anti-ICE Protesters Occupy NYC Hotel Lobby
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Dozens of protesters were arrested Tuesday evening after they took over the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn in Tribeca, New York City, in a demonstration against immigration enforcement policies. The protest erupted around 6 p.m. when activists entered the hotel on Sixth Avenue, chanting slogans and holding signs that denounced the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials reportedly housed at the location.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded promptly to the scene, where protesters had obstructed pedestrian traffic by refusing to vacate the hotel lobby. Videos circulating on social media captured demonstrators chanting phrases such as “No ICE, No KKK, No Fascist USA” and “ICE out of New York,” expressing their opposition to the federal immigration enforcement agency. In a more provocative chant, some protesters called out Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with the words, “Kristi Noem will hang,” highlighting the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policies.
The protest was reportedly organized in part by the Sunrise Movement, an activist group that took to X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day to claim the hotel was housing ICE officials. The group’s statement underscored the growing nationwide activism against immigration enforcement practices, which have sparked numerous demonstrations in recent years.
Authorities conducted arrests to restore order after the protesters refused to leave the premises voluntarily. The NYPD’s intervention followed protocols outlined by the New York City Police Department for managing civil disobedience and public safety. While the exact number of those detained has not been officially confirmed, reports indicate that dozens were taken into custody.
The incident adds to the ongoing national debate over the role and operations of ICE, a division of the Department of Homeland Security tasked with immigration enforcement and removal operations. Critics of the agency argue that its tactics often result in family separations and unjust detentions, while supporters emphasize its role in upholding immigration laws.
New York City, which has declared itself a sanctuary city, has been a focal point for protests against federal immigration policies. The city’s leadership, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office, has expressed support for immigrant communities and condemned aggressive immigration enforcement actions. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office acknowledged the protest but emphasized the need for peaceful demonstration and respect for public spaces.
This latest demonstration follows a series of nationwide protests where activists have targeted locations believed to be connected to ICE operations. The Department of Homeland Security has faced increasing scrutiny and calls for reform from advocacy groups and some lawmakers.
As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, the events at the Tribeca hotel underscore the deep divisions and passionate activism surrounding the issue. Authorities are expected to review the arrests and determine if any charges will be filed against the protesters. Meanwhile, immigration rights advocates vow to continue their efforts to challenge ICE’s presence in communities across the country.
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