On June 9, 2025, the presence of masked ICE agents in the immigration court in Lower Manhattan created an atmosphere of fear and anger. Lawyers and court visitors expressed discomfort as the agents loitered in the hallways, waiting to apprehend individuals attending hearings. Some attorneys reported attempting to avoid interactions with the masked agents, while a federal employee described the situation as 'living hell.' Despite the tense environment, the ICE agents appeared unfazed, openly joking and laughing even during court sessions, illustrating a stark contrast to the anxiety felt by those around them.
Several federal agents wearing FBI patches plastered on their bulletproof vests arrived on the 12th floor that morning, but appeared to remove those patches when they noticed press cameras.
An undisclosed lawyer mentioned that when one of the judges spotted the masked group, she advised her client to return later in hopes of avoiding an encounter.
One federal employee noted that having ICE in the building has been a living hell and is making them uncomfortable.
As the hours passed, the ICE agents could be seen joking and laughing while the court was in session.
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