26 Federal Plaza stands as a focal point for immigrants facing mandatory check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a site where anxiety and uncertainty prevail.
As people arrive, either alone or with family, they often disappear into the building amidst the backdrop of an accelerating deportation machinery spearheaded by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Once inside, the experience becomes harrowing. In the dimly lit hallways adjacent to immigration courtrooms on the 12th and 14th floors, plainclothes federal agents linger, often waiting to detain individuals exiting their hearings, employing extreme measures that have raised concerns.
Reports from individuals detained on the tenth floor’s overcrowded holding cells reveal a troubling environment. Detained persons describe being held together in tight quarters without access to basic hygiene facilities. Several have recounted experiences of seeing fellow detainees sleeping on bathroom floors, prompting one individual to question, “What’s human about this?” in conversation with the New York Times.
Margaret Cargioli, a directing attorney at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, shares alarming accounts from her clients. One of them, a Colombian immigrant named Jaen, was detained on June 4 while awaiting an appointment at a nearby office.
That day, federal agents apprehended multiple immigrants, including Jaen, who was taken away in a black Nissan as his wife Ambar and their 12-year-old daughter pleaded for answers. According to Cargioli, Jaen endured 48 hours of confinement at 26 Federal Plaza, receiving only limited provisions of water and bread before being transferred elsewhere.
Cargioli noted that such an extended detainment period at this federal office building is unprecedented, expressing deep concern for the welfare of those within.
Claudia Bernal-Perez, another immigration lawyer, echoed Cargioli’s sentiments, describing 26 Federal Plaza as a “black box,” where communication becomes limited and updates are scarce. She mentions that families sometimes wait days for news, only to hear from facilities located across state lines.
The lack of transparency surrounding these detentions raises eyebrows. Recently, U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velázquez attempted to gain access to the tenth floor to investigate reports of deteriorating conditions but were denied entry by ICE.
Daniel Coates, director of public affairs at Make the Road New York, notes this situation implies that 26 Federal Plaza is evolving into a temporary detention center under the radar.
“Why would they deny members of Congress the opportunity to see what’s going on?” he asked, pointing to the concealed nature of the current operations.
Outside the building, the atmosphere is charged with tension. Daily protests have emerged, as individuals and groups attempt to block ICE vans from leaving. Law enforcement has responded with significant force, leading to mass arrests.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that the department does not seek assistance from the National Guard, stating, “We have an army of 34,000 uniformed members of the service.” In stark contrast, the mayor declared his intent not to permit protesters to harm the city or its residents.
By midweek, the area surrounding 26 Federal Plaza has transformed into a heavily barricaded zone, as protests continue and immigrants line up for their hearings, uncertain of their fate.
On June 7, during a mass protest against ICE’s activities, NYPD officers forcibly removed participants from the scene.
The surrounding environment remained charged as volunteers from organizations like Immigrant ARC accompanied couples out of immigration court, assisting them in navigating the complex legal system while attempting to protect them from potential arrests.
Protests saw violent confrontations as police employed pepper spray to disperse crowds, a grim reminder of the growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
As of June 10, a demonstration against deportations outside federal buildings highlighted the escalating unrest in New York City.
Protesters wielding signs and flags expressed their dissent against ICE operations, while police continued their efforts to maintain order amidst the unfolding chaos.
Each day at 26 Federal Plaza embodies the struggle of many immigrants and their families, who face the daunting prospect of separation and uncertain futures as federal operations intensify.
image source from：https://www.curbed.com/article/ice-immigrant-arrests-26-federal-plaza-photos.html
