Protesters, authorities clash amid ICE operation in NYC

(NewsNation) — In New York City, a tense standoff erupted in Chinatown after an ICE operation targeting Lower Manhattan. Protesters, some masked, clashed with federal immigration officers as several arrests were made on Canal Street.

Video shows agents detaining a man and shoving him into a white van. The NYPD said it was not involved in the federal operation and that the protests appeared to be spontaneous as crowds gathered when ICE agents arrived in military-style convoys.

NewsNation correspondent Jessica Kartalija was on the ground in Lower Manhattan as multiple protesters were arrested. It is unclear if any persons suspected of illegally residing in the United States were detained.

According to NewsNation local affiliate WPIX, ICE operations ostensibly began near Canal Street between Church and Broadway.

An impromptu protest occurred as ICE officers attempted to make arrests on Canal Street, where migrants suspected of entering the country illegally often sell fake luxury goods.

Tensions rose between the protesters and ICE officers on Lafayette and Canal Street, with multiple people arrested, including one masked protester who was seen pushing federal officers.

"It's hard to believe that this is Manhattan, and it's 2025, and it looks like a war zone out here. People are masked up. They're not showing their faces. ... It's just so incredibly divisive. And regardless of what your view is, it's a difficult situation," Kartalija said on "NewsNation Now" at the height of the clashes.

Two protesters threw themselves in front of oncoming vehicles, with one of them, a male, taken into custody. ICE officers used zip ties as a means of detaining individuals.

A female witness told NewsNation other protesters were being arrested for "simply standing and using their First Amendment right to protest."

Some protesters were shouting "shame on you" even after ICE agents left the scene. New York police were the remaining authorities on the scene, who were being yelled at following ICE's departure from the area.

"People are angry with us for covering this; there's just a lot of anger overall," Kartalija said. "They're just so angry. I've never seen people just so emotional about all of this."