An angry anti-ICE mob caused chaos outside a Brooklyn hospital over the weekend after going to bat for an illegal immigrant with previous arrests for assault and criminal drug possession.
Nine protesters were arrested on Saturday in New York City after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Chidozie Wilson Okeke, who officials say overstayed his tourist visa and tried to resist arrest.
Caught-on-video clashes between the police and the crowd have since gone viral and raised concerns over what could be in store for the summer under Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist regime.
The protests unfolded after Okeke was combative with ICE agents during his arrest and requested medical treatment. ICE agents took him to a local hospital in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood.
A group of agitators quickly arrived outside, tossing trash cans into the street and surrounding ICE vehicles as agents struggled to get Okeke from the hospital into an SUV and leave the scene.
Okeke, of Nigeria, entered the U.S. on a tourist visa on Aug. 27, 2023, and was supposed to leave by Feb. 26, 2024, under his vis requirements, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Instead, he illegally remained in the country and racked up arrests for assault and drug possession, DHS said. ICE caught up with him on Saturday in New York City.
While attempting to arrest him, Okeke ignored commands to exit the vehicle and tried to hit ICE officers with his vehicle.
“Okeke became physically combative attempting to punch and elbow ICE officers,” DHS shared on social media. “Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest.”
Last night, @ICEgov conducted a targeted enforcement operation in Brooklyn that resulted in the arrest of Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria with previous arrests for ASSAULT AND CRIMINAL DRUG POSSESSION.
During his arrest, Okeke refused to comply with… https://t.co/9lNyrELwHA
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 4, 2026
Upon being detained, Okeke said he needed medical care and was transported to Brooklyn’s Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for an evaluation.
He still remained combative at the hospital, “throwing himself to the floor and screaming,” DHS said.
The medical staff cleared him while an aggressive group of demonstrators arrived, blocking the hospital’s entrance and exit doors.
New York City Police Department responded to the scene around 10:30 p.m. Saturday to help restore order, the New York Post reported.
Roughly 200 rowdy agitators had a showdown with police, blowing whistles and yelling “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?”
They acted unruly, obstructed vehicle traffic and disobeyed repeated verbal warnings to disperse or get on the sidewalk.
Police arrested nine demonstrators, including one who was issued a summons and released, the NYPD said.
Fox News Digital reported six of the people who were arrested were charged with obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.
Five of those six were also charged with resisting arrest. One person’s case was sealed, and the eighth was given a desk appearance ticket, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
The New York Post reported the protesters arrested included out-of-state agitators from as far off as Wisconsin and New Hampshire. The mob finally dispersed around 2:45 a.m. Sunday.
DHS officials said the protesters damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted ICE officers, causing minor injuries to the officers. Assaulting law enforcement is a felony and crime, DHS noted, but didn’t indicate whether federal charges could be filed.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2026, and has called to abolish ICE. He prefers to call illegal immigrants “our neighbors” and made a video titled “Know Your Rights When Dealing With ICE.”
Shortly after his inauguration, Border Czar Tom Homan told news outlets the sanctuary mayor has “made it clear he’s not going to work with ICE.”
Mamdani continued with the anti-ICE rhetoric after Saturday’s chaotic scene unfolded in his city. On Sunday, he told Gothamist that he had not seen the videos but opted to defend the anti-ICE protesters at the hospital.
He said ICE raids are “cruel and inhumane” and “they do nothing to serve in the interest of public safety, and I’ve said that even directly to the president,” Fox News Digital reported.
In a post on X, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso wrote “Abolish ICE now.” He encouraged followers to report federal agents, writing, “If you see ICE in your neighborhood, call or text the Hands Off NYC hotline.”
Abolish ICE now. https://t.co/GQuDvJLP2R
— Antonio Reynoso (@ReynosoBrooklyn) May 3, 2026
Democratic state Sen. Julia Salazar, who represents Brooklyn, also encouraged residents to report ICE agents’ presence. She chimed in on X and described Saturday’s protest as “clearly a justified gathering by local residents.”
