ICE agents detained a man in Harrison, New Jersey, while young children clung to him and cried. The arrest took place near Library Park Playground on Harrison Avenue. Video shows agents pulling people apart and using physical force as the children try to stay with the man.
At one point, a young boy is shoved or falls onto the pavement near the street, narrowly avoiding passing traffic, according to the footage.
The 90-second video was first shared on Instagram by @ms._sb1017 and later reshared on X account @LongTimeHistory. Several agents surround the group, including some wearing masks and gear marked “POLICE ICE.”
As the struggle continues, children scream and cry while bystanders urge the agents to be careful. “They’re just kids!” one person shouts. Another can be heard saying, “She’s holding a baby!”
The footage shows agents pulling children away from the man as they attempt to detain him. At least one child loses their shoes during the struggle. A woman holding a baby is also caught up in the confrontation.
Agents eventually move the man toward their vehicles, while the distressed children remain on the ground or sidewalk. Bystanders continue filming and calling out as the scene unfolds.
Harrison’s mayor and council addressed the incident in a statement on October 8. They said ICE agents had stopped a white SUV on Harrison Avenue and removed a male occupant while children and others watched in visible distress.
Local officials expressed “deep concern for the children and family affected” and described the experience as “frightening and potentially traumatic.” They also asked the Harrison Public School District to identify affected students and provide counseling and emotional support.
Officials said they were still trying to understand the full circumstances surrounding the arrest. As of the available reporting, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not issued a specific public statement about the incident.
Internet Reacts to New Jersey ICE Arrest
The footage prompted strong reactions on X, with commenters debating the treatment of the children and the broader immigration crackdown. One person wrote, “This is just so wrong! I’m will do my part come November! If you have any sign of a heart, you will also do your part! It’s time for a change, this is not who we are!!” Another commented, “MAGA or not, you must have a beating heart and even you must know this is so wrong on multiple levels!!!! This has gone too far !!!!”
Others defended immigration enforcement or argued that following the law would prevent family separations. One commenter wrote, “If you follow the law you don’t have to worry about being seperated from your kids. If I got a DUI with my kids they would arrest me and take my kids, there is no difference.” Other reactions were more pointed. “If people weren’t illegal aliens, none of this would happen,” one person wrote.
One user went on to ask, “How can this be legal just grab people from the street & literally attacking frightened children.” Another commented, “Great stuff we’re doing in this country. Terrorizing children and destroying families. Look at us see how great we are.”
Authorities had also not publicly identified the detained man or explained the legal basis for the stop. The video shows the struggle, but it does not establish the full circumstances that led to the arrest.
