Nine Arrested in Anti-ICE Protest Outside Brooklyn Hospital After Detainee Taken to ER

BUSHWICK, Brooklyn — At least nine people were arrested during a tense protest outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center on Saturday night, May 3, 2026, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents brought a detainee to the emergency room. The confrontation, which lasted over five hours, drew hundreds of protesters who accused ICE of violating Fresh York City’s sanctuary laws and obstructing medical care.

The protest erupted after ICE agents escorted a detainee, later identified as Chidozie Wilson Okeke, to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for evaluation. Video footage showed ICE officers carrying Okeke, who appeared semi-conscious, out of the emergency room and into an SUV. Protesters, who had gathered outside the hospital, confronted ICE agents, leading to a chaotic scene that included NYPD officers forming a barrier between the two groups.

According to the NYPD, officers received multiple 911 calls reporting a disorderly crowd blocking the ambulance bay. The department stated that demonstrators were throwing debris into the streets and refusing to disperse despite repeated commands. Nine individuals were arrested after ignoring orders to depart the area.

A neighbor, who requested anonymity, described hearing whistles from two blocks away—a tactic used to alert the community about ICE activity. “It was very clear that Okeke was in no fit state to leave the hospital,” the neighbor said.

ICE and NYPD Clash Over Role in Hospital Incident

ICE officials stated that Okeke, a Nigerian national, overstayed his tourist visa in 2024 and had prior arrests for assault and drug possession. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Okeke refused to comply with officers’ commands during his arrest, weaponized his vehicle, and became physically combative. After his arrest, Okeke requested medical assistance, and ICE officers escorted him to Wyckoff Heights for evaluation. However, medical staff cleared him, and ICE agents attempted to remove him from the hospital.

Brooklyn Council Member Sandy Nurse, who was at the scene, criticized the NYPD for allegedly coordinating with ICE, calling it a violation of New York City’s sanctuary laws. “To me, this is a clear violation of our sanctuary city laws,” Nurse said. “The NYPD should not be coordinating with ICE. That is against our laws.”

Nurse also pointed out that ICE officers remained in the hospital for over five hours, which he described as a violation of city policies barring ICE from hospitals, schools, and places of worship without a warrant. According to Executive Order No. 13, signed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani in February 2026, ICE agents are prohibited from entering city property, including hospitals, without a judicial warrant.

The NYPD denied any coordination with ICE, stating that officers were only attempting to clear the ambulance bay to allow emergency vehicles access. An NYPD spokesperson said four officers were injured when ICE agents used pepper spray, but no charges were filed against ICE officers. The spokesperson also confirmed that NYPD officers helped change a flat tire for an ICE agent, though it was unclear if this was related to the protest.

Brooklyn Community Responds to ICE Activity

The protest outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center reflects growing tensions in Brooklyn over ICE’s presence in New York City hospitals. Activists and local leaders have long argued that ICE’s operations in hospitals violate patient privacy and sanctuary city protections. Mayor Mamdani, a vocal critic of ICE, has repeatedly emphasized the city’s commitment to protecting immigrants and limiting ICE’s role in local institutions.

In response to the incident, Brooklyn Council Member Jen Gutierrez posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Deeply proud of my Bushwick community and neighbors for standing up and putting their bodies on the line to defend our neighbors. NYC is a sanctuary city and ICE is not welcome here.”

While the protest has subsided, the broader debate over ICE’s operations in New York City continues. Legal experts and advocates are closely monitoring whether the city will take further action against ICE’s activities in hospitals, particularly in light of recent executive orders and legislative efforts to strengthen sanctuary protections.

What Happens Next?

The arrested protesters are expected to appear in court in the coming days. Meanwhile, local leaders and advocacy groups are calling for transparency from both the NYPD and ICE regarding the incident. Mayor Mamdani’s office has not yet issued a statement, but his spokesperson directed reporters to the NYPD for comment.

For updates on this story, follow World Today Journal and stay informed on developments in Brooklyn and New York City’s ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement.

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