MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem came to New York City on Thursday to discuss ICE operations.
Her visit came after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good during immigration raids in Minneapolis. Noem defended the officer’s actions on Wednesday, saying that Good “attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle. An officer of ours acted quickly and defensively, shot, to protect himself and the people around him.”
Lawmakers and witnesses criticized Noem’s response, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying, “What they are doing is not to provide safety in America. What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust. They’re ripping families apart. They’re sowing chaos on our streets, and in this case, quite literally killing people.”
Two protests were held near 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan – which is where ICE is headquartered – on Thursday during Noem’s visit.
“They have threatened and terrorized our communities, separated families, and killed our people,” the group wrote. “New Yorkers will take the streets to make it heard loud and clear: we won’t stand for ICE to invade our cities and murder our people. ICE OUT OF NEW YORK, ICE OUT OF EVERYWHERE!”
Immigration raids have ramped up across New York City and the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office. A large crowd clashed with ICE agents during an enforcement operation on Canal Street in October, with protesters blocking federal vehicles from leaving a Lower Manhattan garage.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.