Federal authorities arrest more immigrants, sparking protests against detentions outside 26 Federal Plaza
In the heart of New York City, the 26 Federal Plaza has become a focal point of controversy, with critics arguing that the immigration processing center functions as a de facto detention facility with harsh conditions.
Last Monday, a protest titled "No Business As Usual" was held at 26 Federal Plaza, led by Rev. Nathanael Saint-Pierre of St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church. Saint-Pierre called for action against ICE and the Trump administration, expressing concerns about the distortion of the gospel by those in power and advocating for a reinterpretation of the gospel to mean freedom for all.
The protest came on the heels of a leaked video showing people packed into the detention facility, some sleeping on the floor in dirty clothing, several individuals covering their faces with shirts to block overhead lighting, and detainees near a shared toilet with no privacy. It was not immediately clear what charges, if any, each individual faced.
Mayor Eric Adams has written to the federal government requesting an inspection of the facility's conditions, but elected officials have clashed with ICE over attempts to inspect the holding facility, with those efforts so far being unsuccessful.
Members of Congress, such as Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Alexandria Velázquez, have attempted oversight inspections but have been denied access. They argue that the conditions and length of detention meet legal definitions of detention, warranting congressional oversight which ICE is obstructing.
Reports and video evidence reveal people held for days or weeks under harsh conditions, including limited food, medical care, legal access, and overcrowding forcing detainees to sleep sitting up. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deny that 26 Federal Plaza is a detention facility, claiming that detainees are only briefly held before transfer to other facilities.
The controversy has sparked a nationwide campaign by Refuse Fascism aimed at closing the 26 Federal Plaza facility and highlighting ICE abuses. They emphasize video evidence and testimonies documenting inhumane treatment, illegal detention practices, and ICE's misrepresentation of the center.
A violent incident on July 18, 2025, involved Bass Ndiaye, an illegal alien from Senegal, who attempted to stab ICE officers and other detainees at 26 Federal Plaza using scissors. Ndiaye had been previously arrested by Border Patrol in 2023 but released into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s policies. He has been federally charged with assault with a deadly weapon, which carries up to 20 years in prison.
Monday's protest marked the beginning of a nationwide campaign of sustained nonviolent resistance led by Refuse Fascism. During the protest, demonstrators chanted "Trump must go now" and "Shut down ICE now." Coco Das, a national leader of Refuse Fascism, stated that this is not a typical protest but rather preparation for a future moment when millions will rise up to halt the Trump regime.
Over a two-hour span, our platform observed the arrests of five individuals who had been attending mandatory immigration court hearings. On July 28, ICE agents lined the hallways on the 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza and turned the space between the courtroom exit and the elevator into a checkpoint for arrests.
The detention facility on the 10th floor has drawn widespread criticism for what advocates describe as inhumane and unsanitary conditions. As the campaign against 26 Federal Plaza continues, it remains to be seen whether the facility will face increased scrutiny and potential reforms.
- The protest at 26 Federal Plaza, led by Rev. Nathanael Saint-Pierre, was not just about immigration, but also encompassed a call for action against ICE and the Trump administration, highlighting it as a general-news topic.
- As the campaign against 26 Federal Plaza continues, the debate over whether it is a detention facility or not is not limited to local politics, but has become a national issue in the broader context of general-news.
