Police Detain Nine Anti-ICE Protesters in Brooklyn After Arrest of Nigerian Migrant

Nearly 10 people were detained in New York over the weekend as anti-ICE demonstrators protested the arrest of an illegal immigrant accused of assault and drug possession, officials said.

The protests broke out in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian illegal immigrant with prior arrests for assault and drug possession, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Okeke entered the United States on a tourist visa in 2023 and overstayed it. The visa required him to leave by February 26, 2024, DHS said.

ICE agents took Okeke into custody during an immigration enforcement operation on Saturday. He refused commands to exit his car and tried to hit the agents with the vehicle, the agency said. Okeke also acted physically combative and attempted to punch and elbow the agents.

"Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest," DHS said in a statement.

Agents took Okeke to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for evaluation. He remained noncompliant there, throwing himself to the floor and screaming, DHS said. Medical staff eventually cleared him.

Video footage shows ICE agents dragging Okeke out of the hospital after the evaluation.

A crowd of anti-ICE protesters gathered outside the hospital during the evaluation. The group damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted agents, causing minor injuries, DHS said.

New York Police Department officers responded to reports of disorderly protesters outside the hospital between Stanhope and Stockholm streets around 10:25 p.m. Saturday. Officers saw several people acting disorderly, obstructing vehicle traffic and blocking emergency entrances and exits.

Officers gave repeated verbal warnings for the protesters to disperse and return to the sidewalks, the NYPD said.

Nine people ended up in custody. Eight were arrested and charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. One received a summons and was released.

The NYPD said it does not participate in civil immigration enforcement and had no prior knowledge of the ICE operation.