After federal agents carried out a joint Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown on street vendors, causing chaos in Manhattan, New York City Mayor Eric Adams distanced himself from the raid and reiterated that the city is not cooperating with these types of operations.

According to a Homeland Security claim, “ICE and its federal partners, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, and CBP, conducted a targeted, intelligence-led enforcement operation on Canal Street in New York City focused on criminal activity related to the sale of counterfeit goods."

Despite this, the NYPD said it had no involvement in the operation, backing Mayor Eric Adams' statements: “The City of New York does not cooperate with federal law enforcement on civil removals, in accordance with our local laws.” city, the NYPD and other city employees are prohibited from cooperating with immigration authorities.

It is estimated that at least 40 immigration officers showed up this on Canal Street in Manhattan, near the afternoon Chinatown and SoHo neighborhoods, a known hotspot for street vendors.

The agents' presence generated Chaos erupted among the merchants, who gathered up the merchandise they were selling at tables and tried to flee, and some of those running fell into the street while being chased.

According to local media, at least four people were arrested and it is unknown where they were taken, although it is believed they were taken to a nearby building that houses federal offices where ICE is holding several immigrants awaiting deportation.