A federal raid in New York City’s Chinatown targeting criminal networks selling counterfeit goods erupted into chaos as protesters turned violent and clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The rioting led city leaders to rush to distance themselves from the operation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the raid was part of a “targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation” focused on organized crime tied to counterfeit merchandise sales along Canal Street.
In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said:
“During this law enforcement operation, rioters who were shouting obscenities became violent and obstructed law enforcement duties, including blocking vehicles and assaulting law enforcement.
“Already, one rioter has been arrested for assault on a federal officer.”
Rioters Clash with Federal Agents
Witnesses said the raid quickly descended into disorder as rioters formed human chains, blocked vehicles, and attempted to stop ICE agents from detaining suspects.
At a Tuesday night news conference, Murad Awawdeh, vice president of advocacy at the New York Immigration Coalition, claimed that between 15 and 40 vendors were arrested.
At least two people were reportedly detained for interfering with the operation.
The raid took place near Canal Street and 26 Federal Plaza, an area long known for illegal counterfeit markets operating in plain sight.
City Leaders Distance Themselves
City Hall quickly sought to disavow any role in the federal crackdown.
Kayla Mamelak Altus, press secretary for Mayor Eric Adams, told Fox News that the city “never cooperates with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters, in accordance with local laws,” and had “no involvement in this matter.”
“Mayor Adams has been clear that undocumented New Yorkers trying to pursue the American Dream should not be the target of law enforcement, and resources should instead be focused on violent criminals,” she said.
A City Hall source confirmed that while the NYPD monitored the area, local police did not participate in the raid.
However, if “an individual assaults or interferes with a legal law enforcement action,” Mayor Adams directed the NYPD to intervene.
The source also noted that Canal Street has seen multiple federal enforcement operations this year, emphasizing that any illegal activity should ultimately be handled by local authorities.
Left-Wing Officials Condemn Federal Enforcement
Several progressive city officials denounced the operation as excessive.
“We saw what looked like tanks in our streets,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
“We saw people who were armed and in tactical gear for vendors, which was planned.
“Many of you actually got advance notice that this was going to happen.
“They were targeting, in this case, black vendors on Canal Street.
“That’s what occurred… None of this is about public safety.
“It is about fear and chaos.”
Williams also took a political jab at Mayor Adams, saying he looked forward to “a mayor who actually cares about New Yorkers and who will be here joined with us.”
Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani blasted the raid on X, calling it “aggressive and reckless.”
“Federal agents from ICE and HSI—some in military fatigues and masks—descended on Chinatown today in an aggressive and reckless raid on immigrant street vendors,” Mamdani wrote.
“Once again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop.”
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander also condemned the federal action, claiming the vendors posed no threat.
“Let’s be clear, street vendors are not a national security threat,” Lander said.
“There is no excuse for sending military style vehicles and a national law enforcement response for street vendors, whether they were sourced from social media or otherwise.”
DHS Doubles Down
Despite the criticism, DHS defended the operation, saying it was based on solid intelligence and aimed at criminal networks engaged in the sale of counterfeit goods.
The sale of counterfeit goods is a multi-billion-dollar illegal trade often linked to organized crime and foreign manufacturing rings, many of which are based in Communist China.
McLaughlin said DHS will release additional details “about the criminals arrested as soon as they become available.”
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