Clash at NYC Immigration Court: Journalists Injured as Federal Agents Enforce Crackdown

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:24:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a disturbing incident outside a New York City immigration court, federal agents were captured on video shoving journalists, resulting in injuries and raising serious questions about police conduct amidst immigration enforcement.

Federal agents clashed with journalists outside a New York City immigration court, leading to one journalist hospitalized after being pushed to the ground. Homeland Security defended the actions as necessary amidst supposed interference. Witnesses and local officials condemned the incident, calling for a reevaluation of enforcement tactics.

NEW YORK — Tensions escalated outside a New York City immigration court on Tuesday as federal agents clashed with journalists who sought to document their actions, leaving one reporter injured and hospitalized. L. Vural Elibol, a visual journalist for Anadolu Agency, sustained injuries when agents forcibly removed journalists from an elevator, leading to him hitting his head on the floor.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene at 26 Federal Plaza, where Elibol, alongside other journalists, attempted to observe the arrests being made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Video footage showed him being taken away on a stretcher, securing the intervention of emergency medical personnel.

The incident drew criticism from fellow journalists and local leaders. President Trump's administration's strict immigration policies have faced increased scrutiny, particularly regarding their implementation and the treatment of individuals involved, including reporters. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that agents were acting in response to a crowd that interfered with operations.

Journalists involved in the incident expressed disbelief and concern over the heavy-handed tactics used by federal agents, especially in public areas where they had previously been able to operate without issue. They emphasized the importance of accountability and clear communication from law enforcement regarding press access during arrests.

This clash comes amid broader discussions on immigration enforcement practices and the safety of not only detainees but those documenting arrests, showcasing the turbulent intersection of journalism and law enforcement actions in an era of heightened tension surrounding immigration issues.

Democratic politicians, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, voiced their opposition to the aggressive tactics used by federal agents, labeling them as unjust and harmful to both immigrants and the press. Hochul emphasized the need for change, calling for an end to what she viewed as excessive force in the enforcement of immigration laws.