A federal immigration officer has been “relieved” of his duties following the circulation of a video on social media that appears to show him forcibly shoving a woman to the ground and pulling her hair outside a New York City immigration courthouse. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of law enforcement conduct in sensitive immigration proceedings.
The video captures a tense interaction in which a woman, reportedly attempting to shield her husband during his detention, pleads with the officer, who is not in uniform. The officer repeatedly says, “adios” to the woman, and when she steps in front of him, apparently to reason with him, he responds with physical force. In the footage, he lifts her arms, slams her against a wall, and shoves her to the ground as bystanders scream in alarm. At one point, the officer appears to stand over her and speaks before the video cuts off.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander condemned the act on social media, writing: “[An] ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital.”
CNN reported that another clip from the incident shows the woman’s arms interlocked with a man, believed to be her husband, who was being detained at the time. One masked agent is seen allegedly grabbing the woman’s hair, while a voice off-camera instructs, “Just grab her, grab her and pull her away.” It remains unclear who made the comment, and ICE has not confirmed whether additional officers involved are under investigation.
In a statement to the press, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed the officer had been relieved of his duties. “The officer’s conduct in this video is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE,” McLaughlin said, noting that a formal investigation is underway.
Details regarding the agent’s current employment status remain unclear. DHS and ICE have indicated that they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding his relief from duty and whether any further disciplinary action will follow.
The viral video has reignited discussions over ICE’s interactions with individuals and families during enforcement operations, raising broader questions about the use of force, accountability, and oversight within federal immigration enforcement. Advocates and public officials alike are calling for transparency and a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly given the highly sensitive setting of immigration court proceedings and the presence of bystanders, including children.
