Eleven Democratic officials, including Brad Lander and Jumaane D. Williams, were arrested in New York while protesting ICE detention cells.
Federal officers arrested 11 Democratic elected officials in Lower Manhattan on Thursday after they demanded access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding cells.
The officials, including city comptroller Brad Lander and several state lawmakers, attempted to inspect 10th-floor cells at 26 Federal Plaza that have been criticized for overcrowding and poor sanitation. ICE denied entry, leading to arrests after the group staged a sit-in and chanted slogans.
At the same time, another group of officials and about 40 protesters blocked ICE garage doors outside the building. Public advocate Jumaane D. Williams was among those detained after chanting for the release of detainees and holding signs reading “ICE out of NY.”
ICE has argued that the temporary holding cells are not subject to oversight by state or local lawmakers and has previously denied access even to Democratic members of Congress. The protests reflected mounting opposition to President Trump’s mass deportation plans in immigrant-heavy cities.
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