Inside New York's Deportation Crisis: 'They Treated Us Like Animals'

Wed Nov 19 2025 09:23:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Explore the shocking realities faced by immigrant families at New York City's immigration courts, where detentions often escalate into chaotic confrontations with federal agents.

Immigration operations at New York City's 26 Federal Plaza have drawn public outrage as families experience the trauma of sudden detentions. Monica Moreta Galarza's husband was arrested in front of their children, sparking discussions about the harsh reality of practices employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reports reveal that many immigrants fear attending court, and tensions run high as aggressive detentions occur inside the courthouse, leading to questions about the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.

Inside New York's Deportation Crisis: 'They Treated Us Like Animals'

9 minutes ago

Kayla Epstein

Leire Ventas and

Monica Moreta Galarza was thrown to the ground when her husband was arrested outside immigration court in New York City

Monica Moreta Galarza felt relieved after her husband's routine immigration hearing at New York City's 26 Federal Plaza. A judge had ordered Rubén Abelardo Ortiz López to return to court in May, and she believed that meant a reprieve from his potential deportation to Ecuador.

Instead, as soon as they stepped out of the courtroom with their children, she was torn from her husband's arms and thrown to the ground by immigration officers.

One of them charged at me so aggressively that I was terrified, and he ended up throwing me to the ground, Ms Moreta Galarza told BBC News Mundo. They treated us like animals.

The incident has since gone viral, leading to the temporary suspension of one immigration officer. However, it is not an isolated occurrence. The BBC has observed numerous instances of similar chaos around the courthouse.

ICE's operations create a charged environment, and immigrants are often subjected to sudden detention without warning.

The shocking reality unfolds further with reports of chaotic and aggressive enforcement actions by immigration officers, even against the media trying to cover these incidents. With a rise in confrontations, many immigrants find themselves fearful of attending their own hearings.