A federal immigration officer in New York City was relieved of duty Friday after video surfaced showing him pushing a woman to the ground outside an immigration court, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The footage, recorded at the 26 Federal Plaza building, captured the confrontation as agents attempted to arrest a man while members of his family – including the woman and her daughter – struggled to stay nearby. In the video, the officer appears to grab the woman’s hair and shove her.
“The officer’s conduct in this video is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a statement. “Our ICE law enforcement are held to the highest professional standards and this officer is being relieved of current duties as we conduct a full investigation.”
Why It Matters
The building in New York City that houses immigration courts and ICE holding facilities has come under increasing scrutiny since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January, with reports of poor conditions and sudden arrests of immigrants showing up for regular check-ins. NYC Democrats have also been detained on at least two occasions while protesting and asking to gain access to the facility.
What To Know
Footage went viral Thursday of a woman in tears as her husband was detained by ICE agents in the hallway of 26 Federal Plaza, as their children looked on. One officer was then heard telling her “adios” before pushing her to the ground, despite her reportedly not physically engaging with him or other ICE agents…