New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani again called for abolishing ICE after a protest outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center where federal agents detained Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian national. DHS says Okeke was combative and agents used the minimum force needed; video shows him being removed from the hospital after a medical evaluation. About 150 demonstrators gathered, damaging ICE vehicles and prompting six arrests on charges including disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration. Mamdani emphasized that the NYPD did not coordinate with ICE and repeated his criticism of federal immigration enforcement.
Mamdani Repeats Call To Abolish ICE After Chaotic Brooklyn Hospital Protest
Mamdani doubles down on abolishing ICE after agitators protest agents getting treatment for illegal immigrant
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed his call to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a large protest outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn over the weekend. The demonstration unfolded while federal agents were detaining a foreign national who had been receiving treatment for injuries allegedly sustained while attempting to confront officers.
What Happened
Authorities identified the man as Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian national who officials say entered the United States on a tourist visa in 2023 and had been required to depart by February 26, 2024. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Okeke refused repeated commands to exit his vehicle, allegedly tried to strike federal agents with the car and was physically combative during the encounter. DHS said agents "followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest." Video circulating online shows officers removing Okeke from the hospital after a medical evaluation.
Mayor's Response
Speaking to reporters, Mayor Mamdani stressed that the New York Police Department did not coordinate with ICE and was responding only to the protest outside the hospital. "I've made it very clear that our laws leave no room for interpretation: our NYPD will not participate in civil immigration enforcement," he said, adding that he considers ICE raids "cruel." Mamdani also described the reported detention of Okeke "by armed federal agents without any active warrant" as "incredibly concerning" and reiterated his view that ICE should be abolished.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a May Day rally at Washington Square Park in New York City on May 1, 2026. On Monday, Mamdani called for ICE to be abolished following the arrest of an illegal immigrant.(AP Images)
Protests, Damage and Arrests
Officials say roughly 150 anti-ICE demonstrators gathered outside the hospital during Okeke's evaluation. DHS reported that some members of the crowd damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted agents, leading to minor injuries. Six people were arrested and charged in connection with the protests: Sharon Freystaetter, Presleigh Hayashida, Chloe Sells, Tomas Laster, Jennifer Hansen and Caswell Parker. Charges include disorderly conduct and second-degree obstructing governmental administration; most of those arrested also face resisting arrest counts.
"The federal immigration response needs to have humanity as part of it, as opposed to simply a footnote," Mamdani said.
Medical Evaluation And Aftermath
DHS reported that Okeke remained non-compliant during the medical evaluation, at one point throwing himself to the floor, but that medical staff ultimately cleared him. Video shows ICE agents leading or dragging him from the hospital after the evaluation. Law enforcement agencies and city officials have offered differing characterizations of the encounter.
Fox News Digital and other outlets have reached out to the mayor's office, ICE and DHS for further comment.
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