Immigration Courts Turn Into Arrest Zones as Migrants Protesters and Pastor Detained in Manhattan

A Day of Fear and Chaos Unfolds in the Heart of New York's Immigration System

Manhattan, NY 

In a dramatic escalation of federal immigration enforcement, multiple migrants, activists, and even a Queens pastor were arrested on Wednesday inside and outside two immigration court buildings in Manhattan. The day-long operation unfolded with masked federal agents staking out courthouses, targeting individuals arriving for routine check-ins and legal proceedings, and culminated in intense street protests and police arrests.

Surprise Raids Inside Courthouses

Inside 26 Federal Plaza — a central location for immigration check-ins and court appearances — plainclothes officers in masks quietly scanned faces, matching individuals to photos on phones and printed sheets. Over several hours, at least seven arrests were witnessed, involving six men and one woman. As each person exited the elevators, they were swiftly surrounded and escorted by officers. Some were handcuffed, while others were silently led away.

Among those arrested was a Queens-based pastor who had come to observe the events and offer support to detainees. The pastor was taken into custody by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents. Details about the arrest remain limited, and the individual has not yet publicly commented.

Parallel Crackdown at Varick Street Court

Simultaneously, a second operation unfolded at the Varick Street immigration courthouse. Migrants and their supporters reported similar enforcement actions taking place earlier in the day. These arrests are part of what federal authorities have described as a push for “expedited removal” — targeting individuals who entered the country within the last two years and may not have ongoing legal protections.

As the sun began to set, the scene outside the Varick Street courthouse turned tense and chaotic. Dozens of activists gathered to protest, attempting to block the departure of vans transporting detainees. Protesters locked arms and refused to move, forming a human chain across the street.

NYPD officers from the Strategic Response Group arrived in force. They pushed protesters aside, zip-tied their wrists, and dragged them away. Several activists were thrown to the pavement as police cleared a path for federal vehicles. Two large vans with dark-tinted windows exited through the courthouse garage, flanked by masked federal agents.

One video from the scene captured a haunting image — a detained person inside one of the vans banging on the window behind a metal grate, a silent plea echoing through the crowd.

Activists and Legal Experts Sound the Alarm

At least 14 protesters were arrested during the demonstration. As she was placed in an NYPD vehicle, activist Marlena Fontes cried out, “Eric Adams and the political establishment should be ashamed. They are allowing the NYPD to be used to break up families in New York City.”

The sudden rise in courthouse arrests has sparked outrage among immigration attorneys, who now face an impossible dilemma: advise clients to comply with court orders or risk exposing them to arrest despite legal protections.

“This completely undermines the legal process,” said Harold Solis, an immigration attorney. “We’ve always told our clients that attending court is not just a right — it’s a legal responsibility. Now, showing up could mean arrest and deportation.”

Jessica Olive, an attorney with Unlocal, shared the case of her Venezuelan client who was arrested just after government prosecutors dismissed his case. The man had entered the U.S. legally through the CBP One app, met asylum deadlines, and followed all required protocols — yet he was detained at the courthouse exit and is now being held in Pennsylvania.

“We’ve never seen this before,” said Olive. “The government is dismissing cases and then disappearing people into a detention vacuum. It’s terrifying.”

The Human Toll and Legal Uncertainty

Singh, a 24-year-old truck driver, experienced the fear firsthand. While waiting inside 26 Federal Plaza, he was surrounded by three officers, questioned, and asked to provide ID. His hands shook as he complied, fearing arrest. After a tense few minutes, he was released — a case of mistaken identity.

“They just made me so nervous,” he said after walking free. “I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m about to be arrested.’ Thanks to God I had my paperwork.”

Attorneys across New York are now left scrambling to make sense of the shifting policies. Many fear the wave of arrests will discourage attendance at immigration court, leading to more in-absentia deportation orders.

A Deepening Divide Between City and Federal Agencies

City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, have been pressed to respond. Earlier in the week, he addressed concerns about courthouse arrests, particularly following the detention of a 20-year-old student after a routine hearing. However, he emphasized that New York's sanctuary city laws prohibit him from interfering or coordinating with federal immigration authorities.

“I’m not allowed to coordinate with them, and I’m going to follow the law,” he stated. “You know me. I don’t break laws. I follow the law.”

This stance has done little to comfort activists and legal professionals who see the events as a betrayal of the city’s sanctuary commitments.

A Dangerous Precedent

What unfolded in Manhattan this week represents a new chapter in U.S. immigration enforcement — one where courthouses are no longer safe spaces, and due process is overshadowed by detention vans waiting just outside the door.

As legal experts warn of constitutional concerns and families brace for sudden separations, the message sent by federal authorities is clear: even those attempting to navigate the system lawfully may not be safe from arrest.

The implications of this crackdown are likely to ripple far beyond New York, shaping the behavior of immigrants across the country — many of whom now must choose between their legal obligations and their personal safety.