The advocates said they were outside an #immigration courtroom where plainclothes #ICE officers were questioning people as they were leaving their court appearances. The advocates said they were advising the #immigrants of their #rights. The officers, in turn, threatened the advocates with #arrest for *loitering*, according to the 2 advocates who spoke with Gothamist.

#law #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

The video does not capture any interactions between #Nadler’s staff & #DHS police before the staffer was handcuffed. But 2 advocates who were present as the events unfolded described officers questioning people as they left #immigration court & threatening advocates as they intervened. Both people asked Gothamist not to use their names, saying they fear retaliation by the federal govt.

#law #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

In the video of the confrontation at #Nadler’s office, the handcuffed staff member says that there were constituents present in the office for a meeting. Those constituents later identified themselves in interviews w/Gothamist as #ImmigrantRights advocates monitoring activities in the building, including outside the federal #immigration courtrooms.

#law #immigration #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

…Robert Gottheim, Nadler’s co-chief of staff, confirmed there was no arrest but otherwise declined to comment on the unusual event that resulted in federal agents entering the office of a Democratic member of #Congress, accusing office staffers of #criminal wrongdoing & handcuffing a staffer.

#law #immigration #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

2 people who were at the courthouse to monitor #ICE activity said the confrontation came after ICE officers threatened to #arrest them & other advocates, & a #Nadler staffer invited the advocates inside.

Nadler’s office is on the 6th floor in the same Varick Street building as federal #immigration court, which is on the 5th floor. The building also houses #DHS & other federal offices.

#law #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

…“While no arrests were made & the situation was quickly deescalated, I am alarmed by the aggressive & heavy-handed tactics #DHS is employing in NYC & across the country. The decision to enter a congressional office & detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper #legal boundaries,” Rep #JerryNadler said in a stmnt.

#law #immigration #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

#DHS later said in a statement that “one individual” — the woman seen being handcuffed — had blocked police from performing a security check they intended to do based on information there were #protesters in the lawmaker’s office. Later that day, protesters gathered outside of the federal building, demonstrating against #ICE.

#law #immigration #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo

In the video,…#DHS officers entered #JerryNadler’s district office & accused staff members of “harboring rioters.” A Nadler staffer is seen crying & being handcuffed. Another officer is at a door trying to enter a private area of the office while a staffer asks for a #warrant.

#law #immigration #dissent #Constitution #FirstAmendment #FredomOfAssembly #FreeToProtest #AbuseOfPower #Trump #Gestapo