On Wednesday night, protesters came out outside a U.S. immigration courthouse in New York City in Lower Manhattan to protest ICE.

At least 23 people were detained during clashes on Varick Street. 

It’s not clear yet if what charges they may be facing. 

The situation escalated poorly. Witnesses observed struggles between people and the police around barricades, with reports of the police using pepper spray on the crowd. The chant “Free them all!” echoed from the protesters. 

BREAKING: ICE Protesters PEPPER SPRAYED as they BLOCK gates to #NYC Federal Plaza ICE building.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents deployed pepper spray on demonstrators amid a confrontation over barricades. This occurred as the group obstructed vans they suspected were transporting migrant detainees following hearings inside 201… pic.twitter.com/7unjGUejfH

— FreedomNews.Tv FNTV (@FreedomNTV) May 29, 2025

DHS agents utilized pepper spray on protesters during a confrontation at barricades. The protesters were blocking vans which they believed were carrying migrant detainees after their case hearings at 201 Varick Immigration Court.

Someone yelled, ‘I’m pregnant!” Then maybe that’s not a good place to be, just a thought. 

The protesters also allegedly tried to block vans from leaving the building. There were people sitting in the road chanting, “Keep families together” and “Free them now!” The police bullhorn announcement said they would be placed under arrest if they continued to block the road, then you can see people being taken into custody. 

NOW: Arrests and Clashes w/ NYPD and Homeland Security agents outside of ICE Building in Manhattan #NYC after protesters blocked vehicles with immigration detainees from leaving Federal Plaza ICE building.

Video by @peterhvideo ([email protected] to license) pic.twitter.com/XsDp0X5oFt

— FreedomNews.Tv FNTV (@FreedomNTV) May 29, 2025

This is just the latest chaotic encounter between ICE/immigration actions and protesters. 

There was the crazy scene in Worcester, Massachusetts where the police allege a member of the city council and other people obstructed ICE during an arrest. Then, there was the incident in Newark at the Delaney Hall facility that involved three New Jersey Democratic members of Congress. Charges have been filed against Rep. LaMonica McIver for alleged assault.