11 Democratic Officials Arrested at ICE Protest in New York

Eleven Democratic elected officials on Thursday were arrested after attempting to gain entry to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding cells located inside a federal building.

The Details: According to amNewYork (Not Rated), federal agents detained the officials after they unfurled a banner and staged a sit-in outside holding cells for undocumented immigrants inside 26 Federal Plaza. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was arrested, said he was participating in "a nonviolent civil disobedience to demand oversight of ICE's inhumane detention practices.” The New York Times (Lean Left) reported that another group of Democratic elected officials were arrested at the same time after joining roughly 40 protesters attempting to block the garage doors outside the building typically used by ICE to carry detained immigrants.

For Context: The federal building houses both an ICE field office and immigration courtrooms, and is a frequent site of arrests for those who show up during routine appointments. Over the summer, demonstrations outside the building drew hundreds and led to clashes when protesters tried to block government vehicles. ICE also uses four short-term holding cells there before transferring detainees to longer-term facilities.

How the Media Covered It: New York Times covered the arrests, and the protests over the summer. It also mentioned complaints about the facilities conditions, including migrants being forced to sleep on the concrete floor, and having to use toilets with no privacy. Newsweek (Center) highlighted ICE arresting immigrants who show up for hearings, and listed the lawmakers who were arrested. Fox News (Right) shared a video of protestors being arrested and led onto buses.

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