Brooklyn anti-ICE protests draw hundreds as Trump deploys troops to Portland

More than 200 people marched in Brooklyn Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the latest in a series of demonstrations nationwide. The demonstrators, led by left-leaning elected officials and paid activists, marched along Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park, chanting in English and Spanish, 'Say it loud. Say it clear. Immigrants are welcome here.' Some carried signs with slogans such as 'Families belong together' and 'Protect immigrants.' Councilwoman Alexa Aviles (D-Brooklyn) said, 'We know what he is doing with ICE. It's terrible, and it is violent. It is unlawful, and it is not what our country stands for. So we are here to say no to ICE.'

Similar rallies took place in Manhattan and Queens. There were no arrests, the NYPD said. Critics said the heightened rhetoric has had deadly consequences. An anti-ICE gunman killed one migrant and wounded two others at a Dallas ICE facility on Wednesday, before killing himself after firing from a rooftop at a busload of migrants. The White House described the attack as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of the immigration policy debate and said it underscored the need for strong border enforcement.

On Saturday, President Trump ordered the Department of War to dispatch 'all necessary' troops to Portland, Oregon, to secure the city and safeguard Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel amid a surge of anti-ICE protests there. The White House stressed that the deployment was intended to protect federal personnel and uphold order as protests intensified in the northwest.

The Brooklyn rally was part of a broader pattern of demonstrations across major urban centers, where opponents of the Trump administration’s immigration policies have sought to draw attention to what they describe as ongoing, unlawful deportations and family separations. Supporters of the administration frame the protests as a political confrontation over border policy and national sovereignty, arguing that enhanced enforcement is needed to deter illegal immigration.

Images from the day captured a mix of community leaders and residents who said they were motivated by concerns over undocumented immigration, public safety, and the perceived humanitarian costs of policy changes. Officials from several progressive city districts participated, emphasizing local accountability in a national debate that has become a focal point of the 2024-25 political calendar.

The protests in Brooklyn highlighted neighborhoods with diverse immigrant histories, many residents who said they have family members who migrated here in recent years. Organizers stressed that their actions were nonviolent and aimed at urging federal policymakers to rethink enforcement strategies rather than at individuals. Law enforcement officials said the demonstrations remained peaceful, with no clashes reported at the Brooklyn event.

As the administration pursues a more aggressive posture on immigration enforcement, critics warn that rhetoric and policy shifts could inflame tensions and spark further confrontations between protesters and federal authorities. The Dallas incident previously cited by federal officials has already been invoked by both sides as evidence in the ongoing political argument over border security and immigration policy.

The day’s events in New York come as authorities continue to monitor potential flashpoints in other cities, including Portland, where protests related to ICE operations have drawn a national spotlight. Officials urged residents to exercise caution and avoid violent confrontations, reiterating that nonviolent protest remains their priority. The administration has said that it will use all lawful tools to protect federal employees, while opponents argue that the policy approach exacerbates human rights concerns.