Protest breaks out as ICE arrests man they say overstayed visa at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn
BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (WABC) — A large crowd grew outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center on Saturday night as ICE agents arrested a man.
Dramatic video shows ICE agents dragging a man outside of the hospital.
An ICE spokesperson said that agents arrested Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian man “with previous arrests for assault and criminal drug possession” who they say overstayed his visa.
“During his arrest, Okeke refused to comply with officers’ lawful commands to exit the vehicle and weaponized his vehicle to attempt to hit ICE officers. Okeke became physically combative attempting to punch and elbow ICE officers. Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest,” the ICE spokesperson said, adding that Okeke requested medical assistance.
Brooklyn councilmember Sandy Nurse said community members noticed Ice’s presence at the medical center, and that she was at the scene from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
“Word spread fast that ICE had brought someone they detained to the ER to be treated for injuries related to their kidnapping. New Yorkers showed up immediately. We did not have any information about the person ICE had detained, although we tried many times to get information. After roughly five hours, the detainee was discharged,” she said.
The NYPD claims it had no involvement in this operation, but said that police were called when the crowd grew disorderly, blocking traffic.
Councilmember Nurse disagreed with the NYPD’s statement:
“What I witnessed during the discharge appeared to be direct coordination between ICE and the NYPD, with officers cordoning off the ambulance bay to allow ICE to move the individual into their vehicles and leave,” Nurse said on social media.
Eight people were charged by police, with charges ranging from resisting arrest to obstructing governmental administration to criminal mischief.
One person was also given a criminal court summons.
“ICE’s presence in Bushwick is deeply alarming. If you see ICE in your neighborhood, call or text the Hands Off NYC hotline: 229-304-8720. To our neighbors who quickly mobilized last night, thank you for making it loud and clear that ICE is not welcome in Brooklyn,” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso reacted on social media.
———-
* More Brooklyn news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
