In Lower Manhattan, chaotic scenes unfolded outside a routine check-in office for immigrants on Elk Street on Wednesday. Families anxiously awaited news of their loved ones, who had entered the building for what was supposed to be a regular procedure but quickly turned into a nightmare of handcuffs and arrests.
The basement office, operated by ICE and managed by private subcontractor Geo Group, serves as a site where immigrants are mandated to report throughout the duration of their deportation cases.
Under the heightened enforcement measures of the Trump administration, ICE agents had ramped up calls to immigrants, instructing them to come to the office either on Tuesday or Wednesday, causing panic in the community.
On Tuesday, 16 individuals were taken away in handcuffs, followed by another 15 on Wednesday. Many families, including mothers and their young children, were left in distress as they witnessed the unfolding situation and worried for loved ones who entered the office.
At 9:32 a.m., the day began with SUVs parked outside the office, reminiscent of the previous day when such vehicles transported detainees to the nearby 26 Federal Plaza. As families waited for their loved ones, the air was thick with anxiety.
By 9:45 a.m., two agents escorted a young teen and an adult woman across the street, heightening the uncertainty surrounding their status. A woman emerged from the building, embraced her friend, and the two broke down in tears. Colin Campbell, a U.S. citizen waiting for his friend, expressed his sorrow, saying, “I’m feeling so sad. She’s in there. I don’t know what will happen. I’m just praying I’m asking God to deliver her.”
At 10:27 a.m., three individuals were seen emerging in handcuffs. Campbell’s question about their actions reflected the confusion many felt about who constituted the ‘bad people’ that officials claimed to target.
Veronica, 35, waited for her friend alongside her young son. Concerned for her friend who had been summoned by ICE, she tried to reassure her, encouraging integrity in the face of fear.
Forty minutes later, Hubert Mendonca, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Guyana, anxiously awaited news of his wife and baby inside the office. Watching the procession of handcuffed individuals, he remarked, “It’s not resting good in my stomach. Our governmental president should have helped us by getting rid of the bad people, and the good ones… give them a second chance.”
By 11:45 a.m., attorney Dave Wilkins paced outside after being ejected from the office, trying to locate his client, which proved futile.
A little later, another mother and child were led across the street. Outside, two women shared their worries as one anxiously reported that her husband was inside, while the other mentioned her friend was still waiting in limbo.
At 11:00 a.m., a Turkish woman and her two children emerged from the office, running toward their waiting father. Their relief was palpable as they embraced in a heartfelt reunion.
At 11:30 a.m., the emotional toll was evident. Jaen from Colombia had entered for his appointment while his wife Ambar and daughter Aranza waited outside.
Mendonca’s wife finally emerged from the office around noon, and the family shared a brief reunion filled with warmth, but the tension remained palpable for many still waiting.
At 12:11 p.m., Rosmely conveyed her anxiety as her daughter-in-law remained uncommunicative after entering the office. The worry grew heavier as Rosmely awaited news.
Ambar and her daughter had waited for more than two hours when Ambar expressed her feelings of helplessness. Speaking about their past, she noted they had crossed the border two years ago and had endured a long and difficult journey.
As time dragged on, tensions escalated. A masked agent’s departure for a break prompted an activist to confront him with accusations.
At 1:47 p.m., more distressing developments unfolded when four women in handcuffs were escorted out. Rosmely broke down as she realized her daughter-in-law was among the detained. The emotional turbulence escalated as Colin, visibly shaken, witnessed his friend in handcuffs and staggered from the scene gasping for breath.
Rosmely lamented the injustice she witnessed, feeling the gravity of the situation as she thought about how to inform her son about the events. “This is horrible here,” she expressed, considering the implications of her daughter-in-law’s detention.
Eventually, at 2:30 p.m., Veronica’s friend and child exited the facility, embracing and leaving together.
However, the situation worsened shortly thereafter. At 2:41 p.m., Jaen was among those brought out in handcuffs, evoking a visceral reaction from Ambar and their daughter. Ambar’s pain was tangible as she collapsed onto the sidewalk, her cries of “My love, my love” mingling with the chaos around her.
Margaret Cargioli, the family’s lawyer, provided insight into the day’s events, suggesting that ICE was likely targeting individuals with final removal orders. She emphasized that Jaen had always complied with ICE demands and lamented the family separations taking place.
By 4:04 p.m., another two men were brought out as the overall anxiety of the day lingered. Hours later, as the sun began to set, masked agents concluded their operations and departed from the scene, leaving behind families grappling with uncertainty and fear.
As news of the day spread through the immigrant community, the chilling reality of the situation settled in. Families now face an uphill battle against a system that seems bent on separation rather than support.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/04/ice-immigration-enforcement-manhattan-roundup-geo-group/
