A tense immigration enforcement sweep in Manhattan’s Chinatown Tuesday afternoon is sparking backlash — and concern across the East River in Brooklyn. Around 4 p.m., federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies moved in on Canal Street, targeting vendors accused of selling counterfeit handbags, electronics and other goods. But what started as an enforcement operation quickly turned into chaos as protesters surrounded the agents, chanting “ICE out of New York” and trying to block their vehicles. Citizen video shows the heated moments as agents pushed through the crowd while demonstrators shouted and recorded the standoff on their phones. Homeland Security says the sweep was part of a “counterfeit goods operation,” but immigrant advocates call it a scare tactic meant to intimidate rather than protect. The NYPD says it had no involvement in the operation. Reaction from city leaders came fast. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso posted on X, “ICE ain’t ready for NYC.” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called the scene “shameful,” while NYC mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo both criticized the raid as fear-driven and political. Here in DUMBO, where street vending has already been a local debate, some residents may now be watching what happened in Chinatown with more concern. Earlier this year, a local petition called for tighter enforcement of vending rules — citing sidewalk crowding and sanitation issues. Others, including advocacy groups, argue that any enforcement must also protect the vendors’ right to make a living. The city has not said whether similar federal operations could happen elsewhere. Daniel Kurzyna, the spokesperson for Republican NYC mayor candidate Curtis Sliwa campaign, issued a statement saying:

Press Secretary Kayla Mamelak Altus of NYC Mayor Eric Adams' office released a statement: