New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams among those detained after demanding access to ICE holding cells facing scrutiny for overcrowding

US federal officers arrested 11 Democratic officials in lower Manhattan on Thursday after they attempted to enter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding cells and later joined protests outside, The New York Times reported.

The officials, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, gathered at 26 Federal Plaza to demand access to the 10th-floor ICE cells, which have faced complaints of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

A federal judge last month ordered ICE to address the concerns.

When access was denied, the group sat on the ground, unfurled a banner saying “NYers against ICE” and began chanting.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, arrested them around 3.45 pm (1945GMT), according to the report.

Outside the building, Williams and several others were detained alongside about 40 protesters blocking garage doors used for transporting migrants.

Demonstrators held signs saying “ICE out of NY” and demanded “the release of everyone in ICE custody,” the report said.

Federal law grants members of Congress oversight authority to inspect detention facilities, but not state or city lawmakers. ICE has previously denied access to the Manhattan holding cells, arguing they are temporary field office spaces rather than formal detention centers.

The protest marked a fresh challenge to President Donald Trump’s vow to expand mass deportations, a pledge that has drawn fierce opposition in immigrant-heavy cities like New York.(AA)