Nigerian immigrant arrested by ICE at Brooklyn hospital; nine protesters arrested during demonstration
May 4, 2026·Location: Brooklyn, NY
Country of origin: Nigeria

On May 2-3, 2026, ICE agents arrested Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian national who had overstayed his tourist visa since August 2023, during an enforcement operation near Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. Okeke sustained injuries during the arrest and was taken to the hospital's emergency room. Approximately 200-300 anti-ICE protesters gathered outside the hospital in response, resulting in a five-hour confrontation with NYPD. Nine people were arrested on charges including obstructing traffic, blocking emergency entrances, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief. During the protest, ICE vehicles were damaged, pepper spray was used against agents, and an ICE vehicle struck a protester; four NYPD officers and several DHS agents sustained minor injuries. On May 4, elected officials and community leaders, including City Council Member Sandy Nurse, rallied against the incident, citing direct coordination between ICE and NYPD and demanding the city respect sanctuary city laws.
Timeline
Sources
- Several people arrested after ICE detains man outside Brooklyn hospital, police say
- Fox News
- CBS News
- Multiple ICE protesters arrested during demonstration outside Wyckoff Medical Center
- 2026 Bushwick hospital ICE incident
en.wikipedia.org·May 3, 2026·archived copy
- Nine arrested during anti-ICE protest outside Brooklyn hospital
nbcnewyork.com·May 3, 2026·archived copy
- 8 people arrested at protest during ICE arrest in Brooklyn, NYPD says
- ICE Operation in Brooklyn Sparks Skirmishes and Complaints
news.bloomberglaw.com·May 3, 2026·archived copy
- 8 arrested during protest of ICE arrest near Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn
- Gathering held in support of Brooklyn resident detained by ICE
Yahoo News·May 10, 2026·archived copy
- Brooklyn Leaders Rally Against ICE Activity in Bushwick
- Eight arrested after anti-ICE protesters clash with cops outside New York hospital
ca.news.yahoo.com·May 4, 2026·archived copy
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