Envelopes with white powder were discovered Thursday in New York City in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, according to the Big Apple’s Mayor Eric Adams.
“New Yorkers, I have been preliminarily briefed on the matter unfolding at 26 Federal Plaza where envelopes containing white powder were discovered,” Adams said in a Thursday post on the social platform X. “I want to also reassure you that there are no known injuries at this time.”
Adams said that while officials are awaiting test results from “our federal partners,” New York City Fire Department hazmat teams are on the ground to “ensure the safety of everyone inside and outside of the building.”
The fire department told The Hill that a call was received around 3:55 p.m. local time regarding a white powder reported on the ninth floor. The building was evacuated and there were no reported injuries, according to the fire department.
“Hazmat assigned, operations ongoing,” the department added.
Kaz Daughtry, New York City deputy mayor for public safety, said on X that local and federal officials are investigating the incident.
“I have personally briefed @nycmayor Adams and The Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack in regard to the circumstances. The investigation is ongoing. Expect increased presence and temporary closures,” Daughtry said in a post on X. “Please avoid the area and follow official channels for verified updates.”
The Hill has reached out to ICE’s New York field office for comment.
The conditions of the ICE facility in downtown Manhattan have sparked alarms from civil rights groups, and protests took place in front of the building last week.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered ICE to improve conditions of the facility for the migrants held there, with civil rights organizations arguing the individuals are not provided sufficient access to counsel and medication, along with dealing with extreme temperatures.
The Justice Department acknowledged migrants were only being given two meals per day and not provided with their medication or sleeping mats. But the federal government challenged other accusations, with Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin saying the Tuesday ruling will be appealed and claims of poor conditions are “categorically false.”
“There seems to be quite a gap between the ICE standards, indeed, and what’s really happening,” Kaplan said on Tuesday.
The federal judge ordered ICE to deliver several items to migrants held there, upon request, including bedding mats, more blankets, clean clothing, feminine hygiene products and access to medicine.
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