Thursday, October 23, 2025-A large crowd gathered on New York City’s famed Canal Street after immigration agents launched a coordinated sweep targeting undocumented vendors and workers.
Witnesses described tense scenes as agents detained several individuals while protesters shouted slogans demanding the release of those taken into custody.
The operation, part of a wider federal enforcement campaign, quickly drew the attention of local activists and civil rights groups who accused authorities of racial profiling and heavy-handed tactics.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of anger across the city. Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators blocking ICE vehicles and chanting “No human is illegal,” as police struggled to maintain order.
Elected officials from New York’s city council have called for an immediate review of the operation, arguing it undermines community trust and threatens the livelihoods of small-scale immigrant entrepreneurs who define Canal Street’s cultural and economic identity.
Federal authorities have defended the sweep, saying it was part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws in areas with high concentrations of counterfeit goods and unregistered workers.
The confrontation has reignited the national debate over immigration enforcement and the balance between law and compassion. As tensions continue, activists have vowed to keep organizing demonstrations, setting the stage for more flashpoints in cities across the country.
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