logo
ICE field office in NYC evacuated after envelopes with suspicious white powder discovered

ICE field office in NYC evacuated after envelopes with suspicious white powder discovered

New York Post6 hours ago
Envelopes containing a suspicious white powder were discovered at New York's Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Manhattan Thursday afternoon – prompting first responders to evacuate the federal building, according to authorities.
Fire officials responded to 26 Federal Plaza near Foley Square around 3:55 p.m. after receiving reports the mysterious substance was found in room 936 on the 9th floor of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building, the FDNY confirmed.
Officials are still awaiting test results on the suspicious white powder.
Getty Images
Advertisement
The building has since been evacuated as hazmat teams investigate and there are no reported injuries.
'New Yorkers, I have been preliminarily briefed on the matter unfolding at 26 Federal Plaza where envelopes containing white powder were discovered,' Mayor Eric Adams said in a post on X.
Advertisement
'I want to also reassure you that there are no known injuries at this time.'
Adams said test results are currently pending as the fire department's hazmat teams contain the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Envelopes with unknown white powder found in ICE office in NYC: FBI
Envelopes with unknown white powder found in ICE office in NYC: FBI

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Envelopes with unknown white powder found in ICE office in NYC: FBI

Federal authorities are investigating after envelopes containing an unidentified white powder were found at a government building in New York City that houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, officials said Thursday. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon at 26 Federal Plaza, in Manhattan's Foley Square, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. The five letters were found at about 4 p.m. in the mailroom of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Office on the ninth floor, according to the FBI. There are no known injuries or any threat to the public at this time, city officials said. "We are working to assess the potential threat," said Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York field office, during a press briefing Thursday evening. "In the majority of my experience, most of these incidents turn out to be nothing. However, this matter is not going to be taken lightly," said Raia, who noted that "sending threatening letters of this nature, whether real or a hoax, is a crime." MORE: Texas Democrats staying in Illinois evacuated over bomb threat Personnel in the ICE ERO office found the envelopes, according to Raia, who said two people were initially exposed. The substance is currently undergoing testing, officials said. Hazmat teams were on the ground "to ensure the safety of everyone inside and outside of the building" while awaiting the test results, the mayor said. The building was evacuated "per standard protocol," Raia said. New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry said the city and federal partners are investigating and urged people to avoid the area. MORE: Judge orders DHS to improve conditions at New York City facility holding detained migrants The 41-floor office building is home to ICE's New York City field office, as well as the FBI's New York field office and an immigration court. It has made headlines and been the site of frequent protests over ICE operations in the city amid the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. A so-called "holding facility" for detained migrants is located on the 10th floor of the building. Following allegations of unsanitary conditions there, a federal judge this week ordered the Trump administration to ensure the facility is not overcrowded and that detainees are provided with hygiene products and confidential access to lawyers. The Department of Homeland Security denied the conditions in the facility were subprime. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested in June while observing proceedings at the building's immigration court. He was accused of assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer but has not been charged.

Envelopes with white powder found in NY federal ICE facility
Envelopes with white powder found in NY federal ICE facility

The Hill

time5 hours ago

  • The Hill

Envelopes with white powder found in NY federal ICE facility

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 social media 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 New York City Fire Department (NYCFD) 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 NYCFD. 'Hazmat assigned, operations ongoing,' the department added. New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry 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 the 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.

Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11
Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11

New York Post

time6 hours ago

  • New York Post

Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11

The owner of the Montauk-docked boat where designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was once sued for allegedly biting a retired FDNY firefighter on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at a Manhattan concert. Former smoke-eater Michael Balfe, a Ground Zero first responder, claimed he was attacked by Christopher Durnan, 60, during a show at Webster Hall on Sept. 11, 2021, according to a civil suit he filed the following year. The lawsuit alleges Durnan 'bit and assaulted' Balfe in an unprovoked attack. Balfe 'sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind,' the since-settled suit alleged. 3 Christopher Durnan, 60, the last person to see Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra alive was once sued for biting a 9/11 FDNY first responder in an unprovoked attack at Webster Hall. Obtained by the NY Post Durnan had rejected any wrongdoing, arguing Balfe initiated the fight and that his 'use of force was reasonable under the circumstances' according to court papers. Durnan was criminally charged after the incident with assault with intent to cause physical injury, recklessly cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records. He ultimately pled guilty to a disorderly conduct charge. The civil suit was settled in December 2023, records show. 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on Aug. 5 onboard boat The Ripple which is owned by Chris Durnan and docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5. Facebook / Martha Nolan 'Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfe's own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan,' the former firefighter's lawyer, Darren Moore, told The Post. Moore emphasized that his client didn't pay any party when the lawsuit was settled. Durnan, an insurance mogul with a plush pad in Montauk and another home in Long Beach, owns the boat The Ripple, where Nolan-O'Slatarra was found dead on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. A lawyer for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family revealed that homicide detectives are 'questioning' individuals in relation to the tragic death of the chic East End entrepreneur. 'They want more details,' Aidala told The Post. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Records show Durnan owns both The Ripple and the boat next to it named Hell In A Bucket. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala continued. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' Durnan could not be reached for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store