On September 30, 2025, federal ICE agents violently shoved multiple journalists outside a New York City immigration court — including one who was hospitalized after hitting his head on the floor. The assault was caught on video.

Visual journalist L. Vural Elibol, of the Anadolu Agency, was placed in a neck brace and stretchered from the building. Two other journalists — Dean Moses and Olga Fedorova — were also pushed and forcibly removed from a public elevator while covering what they later learned was an ICE arrest.

This happened in a public building, during court hours, and without any warning or clearly defined press restrictions.

ICE and DHS claim these were “agitators” — but this was a peaceful, professional press corps, not a riot. Video evidence and eyewitnesses confirm that no threat was posed to officers, detainees, or the public. And yet, journalists were physically assaulted for doing their jobs.

We, the undersigned, call on:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Office of the Inspector General
The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
Congressional oversight committees

to immediately:

• Launch a full, independent investigation into ICE’s use of force at NYC immigration courts
• Suspend the agents involved pending review
• Ensure accountability and transparency, including public findings
• Affirm the First Amendment rights of journalists to safely document immigration enforcement
   

Journalists have a constitutionally protected right to report in public spaces. They are not “agitators.” They are not the enemy. And they certainly don’t deserve to be hospitalized for documenting state action.

Hold ICE agents accountable.

Defend press freedom.

Stop the violence at immigration courts.