Nine Arrested After Mob Attacks ICE Agents Outside New York Hospital

Clear Facts

• ICE arrested Chidozie Wilson Okeke, an illegal immigrant from Nigeria with prior assault and drug possession charges who overstayed his tourist visa
• Okeke physically resisted arrest, attempted to hit agents with his vehicle, and remained combative during medical evaluation
• Nine anti-ICE protesters were arrested after damaging ICE vehicles, assaulting agents, and blocking hospital emergency entrances

Nearly 10 people were detained in New York over the weekend after anti-ICE demonstrators protested the lawful arrest of an illegal immigrant facing assault and drug possession charges. The arrests highlight escalating tensions as federal immigration enforcement operations continue nationwide.

The protests erupted in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood following ICE’s arrest of Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian national who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2023. Okeke overstayed his visa, which required him to leave the country by February 26, 2024, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

During Saturday’s immigration enforcement operation, Okeke refused to comply with ICE agents’ commands to exit his vehicle. He then attempted to hit agents with his car, according to the agency.

Officials report Okeke was “physically combative,” attempting to punch and elbow ICE agents during the arrest.

“Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest,”

DHS said in a statement. Following his arrest, Okeke was transported to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

At the hospital, Okeke “remained non-compliant during the medical evaluation, throwing himself to the floor and screaming,” according to DHS. Medical staff eventually cleared him for release.

Video footage shows ICE agents escorting Okeke out of the hospital after his evaluation. While agents conducted their lawful duties, a crowd of anti-ICE protesters gathered outside the medical facility.

The demonstrators damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted federal agents, causing minor injuries, according to DHS. The mob’s actions escalated to blocking emergency entrances and exits to the hospital, putting patients at risk.

NYPD officers responded to reports of disorderly protesters outside the hospital at approximately 10:25 p.m. Saturday. Officers observed several people acting disorderly, obstructing vehicle traffic, and blocking critical hospital access points.

Police issued repeated verbal warnings for protesters to disperse and return to sidewalks. When the crowd refused to comply, law enforcement took action.

Nine people were taken into custody. Eight were arrested and charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief.

One person was issued a summons and released. The NYPD stated it does not participate in civil immigration enforcement and had no prior awareness of the ICE operation.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the enforcement action, telling a Gothamist reporter that ICE raids are “cruel and inhumane.”

“They do nothing to serve in the interest of public safety, and I’ve said that even directly to the president,”

Mamdani stated. The mayor’s comments come as federal immigration authorities continue operations targeting individuals with criminal records and visa violations.

Okeke’s case represents the type of enforcement prioritized by ICE: individuals who have violated immigration law, possess criminal records, and demonstrated non-compliance with law enforcement. The incident also underscores growing confrontations between federal immigration authorities and activist groups opposed to enforcement operations.

The damage to federal vehicles and assault on law enforcement officers may result in additional federal charges for those involved in the protest. Federal authorities have indicated they will pursue charges against individuals who interfere with lawful immigration enforcement operations.

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