A federal raid in New York City’s Chinatown targeting criminal networks selling counterfeit goods erupted into chaos Tuesday as protesters tried to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and violently interfered with arrests.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the operation was a “targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement action” against organized crime tied to the massive counterfeit marketplace along Canal Street.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the clash in a statement:
“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.”
Mob Formed Human Chains, Tried to Stop Arrests
Witnesses said the confrontation escalated as rioters formed human chains, blocked ICE vehicles, and attempted to physically prevent agents from detaining suspects. At least two people were reportedly arrested for interfering with the operation, in addition to the rioter charged with assaulting a federal officer. Activists claim anywhere between 15 and 40 vendors were detained.
The raid occurred near Canal Street and 26 Federal Plaza — an area long known as a hub for illegal counterfeit markets operating openly for years.
NYC Officials Rush to Distance Themselves
After video of the riot spread online, City Hall immediately disavowed involvement. Kayla Mamelak Altus, press secretary for Mayor Eric Adams, stressed that the city “never cooperates with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters” and had “no involvement in this matter.”
A City Hall source later admitted NYPD was only “monitoring” the raid and did not assist federal officers — unless assault or active interference took place.
Progressive Officials Side With Rioters
Multiple left-wing city officials condemned federal officers rather than the rioters who obstructed them.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams accused DHS of deploying “tanks in our streets” and claimed the crackdown “was not about public safety.”
Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called the raid “authoritarian theatrics,” framing it as a Trump administration action meant to “create fear.”
City Comptroller Brad Lander also dismissed the operation, arguing that “street vendors are not a national security threat,” despite federal intelligence linking counterfeit markets to organized crime networks and foreign manufacturing pipelines, especially those operating out of Communist China.
DHS Stands Firm
DHS officials stood by the enforcement action and said more information on those arrested will be released once charges are processed. The counterfeit goods trade is a multi-billion-dollar underground industry tied to money laundering, cross-border smuggling, and transnational criminal enterprises.
More details on the organized crime networks targeted in the raid are expected in the coming days.
