Federal Immigration Agents Retreat After Upstate New York Protest Ends With Violence

A tense standoff unfolded in Rochester’s Park Avenue neighborhood when federal immigration agents attempted to make arrests at a residential job site. The incident ended with agents leaving the area in a Border Patrol SUV that had its tires slashed as more than 100 protesters shouted at them and blocked their efforts.

The enforcement action was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with participation from other agencies, including the IRS. Agents detained one worker identified by the roofing contractor as an employee with legal work papers who had been in the country for over two decades. Other roofers remained on the job site watched by protesters who grew in number as the situation stretched into a four-hour standoff.

The confrontation is part of an increasing series of clashes between immigration agents and communities across the United States. In response to growing opposition, the Trump administration has expanded enforcement, even deploying National Guard troops in some cities. Recently, a raid in Cayuga County led to 57 arrests and officials have signaled that similar actions will continue throughout New York.

Rochester has been a focal point for conflict over immigration policy due to its sanctuary city status. The designation has already prompted federal lawsuits against local officials including the mayor and city council president. Just weeks ago, the Rochester City Council reaffirmed its sanctuary protections, drawing further scrutiny from federal authorities.

Construction is one of the industries most heavily reliant on immigrant labor, particularly in roofing and homebuilding. National figures show more than half of roofers are immigrants, while in New York, over a third of construction workers were born outside the United States. Advocates say this reliance highlights the stakes of increased raids in communities like Rochester.

Videos from the scene captured ICE agents explaining that some roofers admitted to being in the country without documentation, which in their view justified immediate arrests without warrants. But as the standoff dragged on, immigrant-rights groups pressed the agents to leave, arguing that no further arrests would be possible and that the growing crowd was escalating tensions. Eventually, agents withdrew with the help of protesters clearing a path for their exit.

The man taken into custody has not been publicly identified beyond his nickname and his employer expressed concerns about supporting the worker’s family and the financial impact on his business. Advocacy organizations framed the agents’ withdrawal as a victory, saying it demonstrated the power of collective resistance and solidarity with immigrant workers.

Local faith leaders and lawmakers also rallied to the scene. Clergy emphasized unity in the face of what they described as divisive enforcement actions while state legislators from the area denounced the federal government’s tactics as discriminatory and politically motivated. They argued that federal officials were deliberately pitting communities against one another and eroding democratic principles through selective enforcement.

The incident occurred just a day after a Supreme Court decision lifted restrictions on how ICE agents operate in Los Angeles, allowing them to target people based on race, language, or workplace. The Department of Homeland Security quickly celebrated the ruling on social media saying it would ramp up operations.

Federal Immigration Agents Retreat After Upstate New York Protest Ends With Violence