Immigration and Customs Enforcement suspended an officer after viral video footage showed him pushing an immigrant woman to the ground in front of her children at a New York federal courthouse Tuesday.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the officer’s actions in a statement. “The officer’s conduct in this video is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE,” McLaughlin said. “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.”
The incident occurred in a hallway at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses both the federal immigration court and ICE district office in Lower Manhattan. ICE agents have conducted dozens of arrests at immigration courts since May as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
Video footage shows the woman pleading with agents after they apprehended her husband while her children stood nearby. The ICE agent told the woman “Adios, adios,” but she continued following him and appeared to place her hand on his chest. The agent then grabbed her, shoved her against a wall, and pushed her to the ground.
Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY), whose district includes the courthouse, confirmed that the woman and her husband have pending asylum cases. “[They] are here lawfully but are being targeted by ICE regardless,” Goldman’s spokesperson state.
The woman, identified as Monica Moreta-Galarza, told reporters that her family fled violence in Ecuador. “Over (in Ecuador), they beat us there too,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d come here to the United States and the same thing would happen to me.”
Her husband was transferred to a detention center following his arrest.
The incident highlights tensions surrounding increased ICE enforcement activities at immigration courts, where individuals often appear for routine proceedings related to their cases. The location serves both as a judicial venue and operational base for immigration enforcement.
The suspension reflects growing scrutiny of ICE tactics during the expanded deportation operations. Video evidence of the confrontation spread rapidly on social media, drawing criticism from immigration advocates and elected officials.
Federal immigration courts have become focal points for enforcement activities as the administration seeks to fulfill campaign promises regarding deportation numbers. The arrests often target individuals with pending legal proceedings who are required to appear for hearings.
The investigation will examine whether the officer’s use of force violated department policies and protocols for interacting with individuals in custody or during enforcement operations.
