New York, NY — A dramatic Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on Canal Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown led to the arrest of nine illegal migrants on Tuesday, several of whom have lengthy criminal records, according to federal authorities.
Targeted Operation on Canal Street
Homeland Security officials said the enforcement operation targeted unlicensed sidewalk vendors selling counterfeit and stolen goods along Canal Street between Lafayette and Centre Streets — an area long plagued by illegal street vending and public disorder.
“ICE conducted a targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation on Canal Street in New York City, focused on criminal activity relating to selling counterfeit goods,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement Wednesday.
“ICE arrested nine illegal aliens with criminal histories including robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession and forgery,” McLaughlin added.
Criminal Histories Revealed
Federal sources revealed that most of the migrants arrested had entered the United States under the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Among them were several Senegalese nationals accused of drug trafficking, robbery, and violent offenses against police officers.
Viral Video Sparks Attention
The raid unfolded just hours after conservative commentator Savanah Hernandez posted a viral video showing chaotic scenes from the same stretch of Canal Street, describing it as “the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Merchants Complain About Lawless Vendors
For years, local business owners have complained about the illegal vendors crowding sidewalks, blocking access to legitimate stores, and leaving piles of trash behind, as per The Post.
“They take over the sidewalk,” one Chinatown merchant said. “People can’t pass. The vendors don’t care.”
Although NYPD officers have repeatedly conducted quality-of-life crackdowns on the vendors, many of them return shortly after being dispersed.
Protests Erupt During Federal Raid
Tuesday’s ICE operation, however, ignited backlash from protesters. Two demonstrators were arrested after clashing with police during the raid.
One of them, identified as 34-year-old Jennifer Hansen, an anarchist with six prior arrests — including an incident in June where she allegedly kicked a police officer — was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction. Another 33-year-old protester, whose name was not released, also received a disorderly conduct citation.
Repeat Offenders in Custody
Federal officials confirmed that six of the nine arrested migrants had criminal histories. Among them was Ndiaye, charged previously with robbery, domestic violence, drugs, and forgery, and Mboup, who had a record for assaulting Mexican law enforcement officers.
ICE has not released the full list of those detained, but all nine migrants are now in federal custody and face deportation proceedings.
Ongoing Debate Over Immigration Enforcement
The crackdown highlights growing tensions over illegal street vending and immigration enforcement in New York City — and marks one of the most significant ICE operations in Manhattan’s Chinatown in recent years.
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