Masked ICE Agents Drag Detainee from Brooklyn Hospital as Protesters Clash and Officers Spray Pepper Spray

Late Saturday night, an enforcement operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn erupted into chaos, exposing the brutal reality of ICE’s aggressive tactics and the growing community resistance against them.

The detainee, identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Chidozie Wilson Okeke, an undocumented Nigerian migrant, was forcibly dragged out of the hospital by masked ICE agents. Okeke, who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa last August and was subject to a February 2024 departure deadline, was arrested during a targeted operation. DHS claimed Okeke resisted arrest by attempting to use his vehicle as a weapon and physically assaulted officers, prompting them to use what they described as “the minimum amount of force necessary.”

DHS declined to explain why Okeke required medical attention but said he remained non-compliant during his evaluation, reportedly throwing himself to the floor and screaming. Meanwhile, a large crowd of protesters gathered outside the hospital, quickly escalating tensions. According to DHS, the crowd became violent, damaging ICE vehicles and assaulting officers, who sustained minor injuries. Assaulting law enforcement, DHS emphasized, is a felony.

Eyewitnesses tell a different story. More than two dozen NYPD officers arrived in what was described as a “show of force,” aggressively pushing protesters to the sidewalk, pepper-spraying community defenders, and making arrests. Witnesses saw ICE officers dragging a Black man in handcuffs while wielding large pepper spray canisters, spraying indiscriminately at the crowd.

The NYPD denied accusations of excessive force, claiming they were responding to disorderly conduct and obstruction of emergency access. They also insisted they did not coordinate with ICE, despite reports and observations suggesting otherwise.

Local elected officials condemned the incident. State Senator Julia Salazar criticized the increased ICE presence in Bushwick and the heavy NYPD deployment, calling the protest a “justified gathering” by residents. Brooklyn Council Member Sandy Nurse, who was at the scene, accused the NYPD of working directly with ICE to facilitate the detainee’s removal, highlighting the lack of transparency and community consultation.

This latest incident underscores the ongoing militarization of immigration enforcement and the toxic collaboration between local police and federal ICE agents, fueling community outrage and resistance. As New Yorkers continue to organize against these abusive practices, the question remains: how much more violence and chaos will be tolerated in the name of immigration enforcement?

For those witnessing or affected by ICE activity, local organizers urge calling the Hands Off NYC hotline at 229-304-8720.

We will keep tracking these abuses and the fightback. Stay tuned.