Key Facts
• In Manhattan’s Federal Plaza immigration court, immigrants line up awaiting hearings.
• Many immigrants arriving under Temporary Protected Status or asylum requests are detained regardless of judge rulings.
• ICE operations involve Customs and Border Protection, Diplomatic Security Service, and FBI agents.
• Detained immigrants are sent to distant detention centers or forcibly deported.
• Photographer Nicolò Filippo Rosso documented daily scenes since June 2025.
• Immigrants, often without criminal records, are handcuffed and dragged by armed, masked agents.
• Families are separated; children cry amid tense enforcement.
• Political divisions deepen between strict border control advocates and humanitarian supporters.
• The case of 47-year-old Sixto from Ecuador, detained but later released as a recognized refugee, is rare.
• Activists protest detentions; journalists face warnings and physical confrontations.
• The situation threatens U.S. democracy amid fear-driven politics.
Summary
At the Federal Plaza immigration court in Manhattan, immigrants face harsh realities after perilous journeys. Despite following legal procedures, many are detained by ICE and allied agencies, often separated from family members. Photographer Nicolò Filippo Rosso’s extensive documentation since mid-2025 reveals the emotional and physical toll on immigrants, including those under Temporary Protected Status or asylum seekers. The enforcement actions, involving armed and masked agents, highlight the clash between demands for strict border control and calls for humane treatment. Rare cases like Sixto’s, who was released and recognized as a refugee, contrast with the broader trend of detentions and deportations. Protests and journalistic efforts to record these moments face resistance, underscoring the political and social tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. This ongoing conflict poses risks to democratic values in the United States.
