A federal immigration officer has been placed on leave after video footage surfaced showing him shoving a woman to the ground outside a New York City immigration court. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Friday that the officer, employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been removed from duty while the agency conducts a full investigation, according to CBS News.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described the officer’s behavior as “unacceptable” and “beneath the men and women of ICE,” stressing that all agents are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
The incident occurred outside the 26 Federal Plaza immigration court in Manhattan, where bystanders recorded multiple videos that spread quickly across social media. In the footage, a woman and her young daughter can be seen clinging to her husband as ICE officers attempted to arrest him.
One video shows an officer pulling the woman by the hair during the confrontation. The man was ultimately taken into custody. Another clip shows the woman confronting the officer later, at which point he shoved her to the ground in front of her children, reporters, and court officials. The officer can be heard repeating the word “adios” several times during the encounter.
ProPublica identified the woman as Monica Moreta-Galarza, an immigrant from Ecuador. Speaking to the outlet in Spanish, she said, “Over in Ecuador, they beat us there, too. I didn’t think I’d come here to the United States and the same thing would happen to me.”
The incident has reignited debate over ICE’s presence at immigration courts, a practice that was expanded under President Trump. Critics argue such tactics undermine due process and discourage immigrants from attending hearings. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said the woman posed no threat and required hospital treatment after the altercation. “You can’t watch that video and think that’s how you want United States law enforcement officials treating human beings,” Lander stated.