Statement from Asian American Federation on Tuesday’s ICE Raids in Manhattan’s Chinatown 

AAF condemns raid of Canal Street vendors and arrest of community members by militarized immigration enforcement.

New York, NY — The Asian American Federation condemns the ICE raid in Chinatown on Oct 20 that led to the arrest and detention of Canal Street vendors simply trying to make a living. 

Chinatown has been home to immigrants for generations, a place where families have built businesses, community, and belonging. An incursion of more than 50 masked, heavily armed agents, using military style equipment into these streets to arrest street vendors and community members does nothing to make our communities safer. These actions only serve to increase suspicion of law enforcement, disrupt livelihoods, destabilize the neighborhood, and terrorize families. This is part of the troubling rise in enforcement actions targeting Asian and immigrant communities. But this climate of fear extends far beyond any one community—when any New Yorker is made to feel unsafe, our entire city suffers. 

We are heartened to see ordinary New Yorkers stand up in solidarity, and we call on the Governor, Attorney General, Mayor, and City Council to act together to protect all New Yorkers and strengthen sanctuary city protections.

 Our communities enrich our city in countless ways and deserve dignity, safety and due process.