New York City — A shocking confrontation at Manhattan’s 26 Federal Plaza immigration courthouse has ignited public outrage after masked ICE agents were caught on camera violently shoving journalists, leaving one photographer hospitalized.
The incident unfolded on September 30, when agents attempted to move a detainee through the courthouse elevators. Multiple journalists, who have routinely covered such moments in the same hallway, positioned themselves to take photos. Suddenly, agents ordered the crowd to step back before aggressively shoving photographers away from the elevator.
Among those pushed was L. Vural Elibol, a photojournalist with the Anadolu Agency. Elibol fell hard onto the floor, striking his head. Witnesses said he appeared dazed as fellow reporters rushed to his aid. Paramedics later carried him out on a stretcher wearing a neck brace before transferring him to hospital.
Two other journalists — Dean Moses of amNewYork and freelancer Olga Fedorova — were also shoved. Fedorova reportedly collided with Elibol during the push, contributing to the photographer’s fall.
Federal Response
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the agents’ actions, claiming they were “swarmed by agitators and press” and had issued multiple warnings before using force. A DHS spokesperson insisted the agents acted within protocol to protect detainee operations.
But that explanation did little to calm critics. Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the behavior as “abusive” and demanded accountability, asking bluntly: “What the hell are we doing here?”
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani echoed those calls, saying journalists must never be treated as obstacles to be pushed aside.
A Troubling Pattern
This is not the first recent incident at the courthouse. Just days earlier, another ICE agent was filmed shoving a woman to the ground as she pleaded for her husband’s release. Although the officer was briefly relieved of duty, reports now say he has been reinstated — a decision that further inflamed community anger.
Civil rights advocates warn these repeated clashes highlight a dangerous escalation in the relationship between immigration authorities and the press. The incident also raises serious First Amendment concerns, with press freedom groups calling for urgent oversight and stronger protections for journalists covering sensitive federal operations.
Outcry Grows
The shocking video, widely circulated on social media, has fueled debate over transparency at immigration courts and whether ICE agents are being properly trained to handle press interactions. For many New Yorkers, the image of a photographer wheeled out of a courthouse on a stretcher represents a grim turning point in how federal agents approach both the media and the public.
As investigations continue, demands for accountability are growing louder. Whether federal authorities will discipline the agents involved — or stand by their actions — may shape the next chapter in America’s debate over immigration enforcement and civil liberties.
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