Over 60 Anti-ICE Protesters Arrested After Occupying NYC Hotel

Demonstrators flooded a Hilton hotel lobby, falsely claiming ICE agents were staying there, before refusing to leave and being taken into custody.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:07am

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More than 60 anti-ICE protesters were arrested in New York City on Tuesday after storming a Hilton hotel and refusing to leave, despite police orders. The demonstrators had incorrectly believed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were staying at the hotel, and they were charged with trespassing after the hours-long standoff.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between anti-ICE activists and law enforcement, as well as questions about the appropriate response to protests that target private businesses. It also raises concerns about the potential for violence when demonstrators make unsubstantiated claims and refuse to disperse.

The details

Around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, a large group of protesters flooded the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, blowing whistles and chanting anti-ICE slogans. They claimed the hotel was "profiting off our neighbors being murdered and tortured" and that "Hilton is housing the modern-day Gestapo." However, sources confirmed that no ICE or Department of Homeland Security personnel were actually staying at the hotel that night. After repeated orders to leave, over 60 protesters were arrested and charged with trespassing.

  • The protest began around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The arrests and dispersal of protesters occurred around 8:00 p.m. the same evening.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City, who issued a statement praising both the protesters and the police response.

Alvin Bragg

The District Attorney of Manhattan, whose handling of prosecutions was questioned by some in response to the arrests.

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What they’re saying

“Mayor Mamdani commends the protestors who exercised their right to protest against ICE today. As he has said, ICE is a rogue agency that has repeatedly carried out cruel, inhumane, and lawless raids and arrests of American citizens.”

— Representative

“The Mayor is also pleased with the NYPD's response to the protest and that today's demonstration concluded without violence.”

— Representative

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any of the arrested protesters to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between anti-ICE activists and law enforcement, as well as the challenges of responding to protests that make unsubstantiated claims and refuse to disperse. It also raises questions about the role of local officials in balancing the right to protest with maintaining public order.