The Incident

On September 25, 2025, a violent confrontation at the 26 Federal Plaza immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan led to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer being relieved of duties. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed the officer shoving Monica Moreta-Galarza, an Ecuadorian woman, to the ground during her husband’s detention hearing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the officer’s actions as “unacceptable” and initiated a full investigation, while the event has fueled debates over ICE’s conduct and sparked unverified claims on conservative social media about the officer’s reinstatement.

The altercation occurred in the hallway of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza, where Monica Moreta-Galarza and her young daughter were present for her husband’s immigration hearing. ICE agents were detaining Moreta-Galarza’s husband, an Ecuadorian man seeking asylum, in a restricted area designated for detainees. Video footage shows agents separating the family, with one masked agent grabbing Moreta-Galarza by the hair as voices instruct to “grab her and pull her away.” The video clearly shows Moreta-Galarza attempting to push her way into the restricted area where her husband was being held and placing her hands on the ICE agent multiple times in an effort to intervene, actions some observers interpret as confrontational. Moreta-Galarza is then seen approaching the officer, tearfully pleading in Spanish, “You guys don’t care about anything.” The officer responds by repeatedly saying “Adios” before grabbing her, shoving her against a wall, and pushing her to the floor in front of her crying children, reporters, and courthouse officials. The officer’s actions have been widely criticized, though some argue Moreta-Galarza’s physical contact with the agent escalated the situation.

Legal Implications of Assaulting an Officer

Touching a federal officer, such as an ICE agent, can be considered assault under federal law, particularly if the contact is intentional and interferes with the officer’s duties. Assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer in the performance of their duties is a felony, punishable by up to 8 years in prison, or 20 years if a deadly weapon is involved. Even minor physical contact, such as pushing or grabbing, can be interpreted as assault if it’s deemed to obstruct law enforcement actions. ICE has emphasized that assaulting an officer is a serious federal crime and that offenders face prosecution. In the context of the 26 Federal Plaza incident, Moreta-Galarza’s actions, as seen in the video where she placed her hands on the agent, could be viewed by authorities as interference or assault, though no charges against her have been reported as of September 28, 2025. Such actions in a high-tension environment like an immigration courthouse can escalate quickly, putting both officers and civilians at risk.

The legal threshold for assault requires intent to impede or harm, and it’s unclear whether Moreta-Galarza’s actions meet this standard, as her contact with the agent appeared to stem from a desperate attempt to protect her husband. The ongoing DHS investigation may clarify whether her actions contributed to the officer’s response, but the lack of charges suggests authorities have not yet classified her behavior as criminal assault. The incident highlights the volatile nature of immigration enforcement settings, where emotional confrontations can lead to rapid escalation and legal consequences for all parties involved.

Aftermath and Official Response

Moreta-Galarza later told reporters through tears, “Over there [in Ecuador], they also beat us. I never thought that I’d come here to the United States and the same thing would happen to me.” She was hospitalized for possible head trauma following the incident. The videos sparked widespread outrage, with elected officials and advocacy groups condemning the officer’s actions as excessive and inhumane.

On September 26, DHS issued a statement calling the officer’s conduct “unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE.” The officer was placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation. It remains unclear whether the officer faces termination or reassignment, as ICE has not provided further details. The investigation is ongoing, with no public timeline for completion.

Political and Public Reactions

The confrontation prompted strong responses from New York City officials and congressional Democrats. Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani described the incident as traumatic, noting the officer’s taunting “Adios” before shoving Moreta-Galarza, leaving her children “traumatized by the sight of their mother being assaulted in a government building.” Rep. Dan Goldman referred the officer for felony prosecution, calling for a criminal investigation to ensure a “deterrent effect.” New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who was at the courthouse but did not witness the incident, condemned the officer’s actions, noting the husband’s detention moments earlier.

Advocacy groups criticized ICE’s aggressive tactics in courthouses, arguing they deter immigrants from attending hearings, undermining access to justice. The incident follows a pattern of tensions, including an August event at the same courthouse where an ICE agent yelled at a reporter and a court observer, highlighting ongoing friction between federal agents and the public.

Unverified Claims of Reinstatement

As of September 28, conservative social media posts have claimed the officer was reinstated after a review of footage allegedly showing Moreta-Galarza initiating physical contact by attempting to enter a restricted area and repeatedly touching the agent, suggesting self-defense. These claims assert the officer’s actions were justified, but no official confirmation from DHS or ICE has substantiated them, and no additional footage has been released publicly. Given the lack of verified evidence, these assertions remain inconclusive and should be treated with skepticism pending further DHS statements.

The incident has drawn attention to ICE’s increased presence in immigration courthouses under the second Trump administration, which has prioritized stricter enforcement. Reports indicate ICE’s tactics have grown more aggressive, leading to heightened tensions at facilities like 26 Federal Plaza, where arrests during court hearings or check-ins have become more frequent.

Broader Implications

The incident occurs amid scrutiny of ICE’s operations in sanctuary cities like New York, where local officials have clashed with federal authorities. DHS and ICE have defended the agency, dismissing misconduct allegations as “anti-ICE lies” that endanger officers. A recent DHS statement claimed a 1,000% increase in assaults on ICE agents, though no data substantiated this figure. Advocacy groups argue ICE’s courthouse presence creates a chilling effect, discouraging immigrants from pursuing legal remedies like asylum.

The case has reignited debates over immigration policy. Critics argue aggressive enforcement disproportionately harms vulnerable populations, like Moreta-Galarza’s family, who fled violence in Ecuador. Supporters of stricter enforcement contend ICE upholds federal law and faces increasing resistance, as evidenced by Moreta-Galarza’s actions in the video, which some interpret as interference with officers’ duties.

Looking Ahead

The shoving of Monica Moreta-Galarza by an ICE officer at the Manhattan immigration courthouse has sparked significant controversy, prompting DHS to place the officer on leave and launch an investigation. The video, showing Moreta-Galarza attempting to enter a restricted area and touching the agent, has drawn condemnation for the officer’s response while raising questions about her actions’ role in the escalation. Conservative claims of the officer’s reinstatement on self-defense grounds remain unconfirmed. As the investigation continues, the incident underscores tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the treatment of asylum seekers in the United States.