NEW YORK – Three West African migrants arrested during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Manhattan's Canal Street area last October have been ordered released by federal judges. One judge described the arrests as a "blatant violation of the law."

Judge: "Blatant Violation from the Outset"

Judge Karen Williams of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a ruling on December 29, ordering the release of 19-year-old Sergigne Diop. Mr. Diop holds special immigrant juvenile status, designed to provide a pathway to citizenship for abandoned or abused minors. The judge found ICE's October 21 arrest to be a "blatant violation from the outset."

In another case, Judge Vernon Broderick in Manhattan ordered the release of Mamadou Ndoye, 45, a Malian native who has lived in the U.S. for decades. Although ICE had a final deportation order for Ndoye, the judge stated that the government failed to explain the identification method or basis for the arrest. He emphasized that a deportation order does not equate to the authority to detain without due process.

However, according to Gothamist, Ndoye was rearrested by ICE a week later during what was described as a routine GPS monitoring device check and is currently detained at an immigration facility in New Jersey.

Judge Arun Subramanian also issued a brief ruling on December 23, ordering the release of Abdou Tall, who was arrested in a similar raid in November, stating that the arrest was unlawful.

Many Still Detained

At least four of the seven vendors arrested in the October raids remain detained at immigration centers in New Jersey and Louisiana, according to ICE's tracking system.

The October raids sparked spontaneous protests in Chinatown and drew criticism from then-Mayor Eric Adams, who stated that law enforcement resources should focus on violent criminals rather than undocumented individuals trying to make a living.

DHS Defends Actions Despite Unfavorable Rulings

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously stated the operation aimed to "make Canal Street safe again" and continues to defend its actions despite recent unfavorable rulings.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem would continue to pursue the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants who commit illegal acts.

Lawsuits related to this operation are still being reviewed in federal court.