Hundreds gathered in New York City Friday night to protest raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week that resulted in the arrests of hundreds in several states.
According to a report by The Washington Post, widespread panic spread amongst activists, immigrants and on social media after it was reported that ICE had conducted numerous raids over the last 48 hours in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and several other cities.
ICE said that 160 people have been arrested. But the agency maintained that it's not a sign of new policy.
"While this week’s operation was an enforcement surge, the focus was no different than the routine, targeted arrests carried out by ICE’s Fugitive Operations Teams on a daily basis," a spokeswoman said.
Protestors took to the streets of New York City Friday to decry the raids.
#ICERaids around the nation are unacceptable. NYC will never turn away immigrants & refugees. We must rise, resist, repeat. #HeretoStay pic.twitter.com/Q4m7GC0oNd
— Tish James (@TishJames) February 11, 2017
#HeretoStay #NotOneMore #resist #notmypresident #ImmigrantsWelcome #nobannowall pic.twitter.com/VSWaka5RfL
— Хабиб Погосян (@Habib4ik88) February 11, 2017
Say it loud say it clear! Immigrants are welcome here!! #HeretoStay #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/vV0IaB58Y4
— David (@dchung1120) February 11, 2017
Hey hey, ho ho, these ICE raids have got to go. #HeretoStay #Not1More pic.twitter.com/8rD44j3ZWS
— Jason Rosenberg (@mynameisjro) February 10, 2017
Shutting down sidewalks in emergency rally for our brothers and sisters! Join us NYC! #NoBanNoWall #heretostay #not1more #deportice pic.twitter.com/O2qFfcjRsx
— GayDaysLA (@gaydaysLA) February 11, 2017
Undocumented immigrants lead march encircling @USCIS/federal offices in lower Manhattan. Over 1,000 ppl, organizers say. #HeretoStay. pic.twitter.com/6zVl9OVTUL
— oscar perry abello (@oscarthinks) February 11, 2017
Out in the streets in New York City!
— United We Dream (@UNITEDWEDREAM) February 10, 2017
Immigrants and refugees are #HereToStay! pic.twitter.com/JEcV2p9Fdo
Marching through the streets of NYC to #deportICE #HeretoStay pic.twitter.com/qkcovCQhEv
— Javier H. Valdes (@javierhvaldes) February 10, 2017
