The NYPPA strongly condemned the attack on members of the media at the Federal Courthouse on September 30, in which three visual journalists, including one of our members, were injured. We urge all of our members and press to be careful around these poorly trained Ice Agents as they have been shown prone to violent outbursts and assault without provocation.
Here is the letter that was sent out to press organizations and members of the media after the attack.
On Wednesday September 30th, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shoved and injured journalists assigned to work at 26 Federal Plaza. Let us be clear: the New York Press Photographer’s Association unilaterally condemns this heinous attack by ICE agents on members of the press. The role that the media occupies is a critical one, and this attempt to intimidate and silence journalists is deeply troubling. It is the media’s job to report newsworthy events with integrity, professionalism, and without bias; the members of the press who were targeted by ICE agents were only there to do their jobs.
Further, these actions on the part of ICE are blatant violations of the freedom of the press guaranteed in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. A free press is a necessary function of democracy; without it, we would be in the dark. – Bruce Cotler, President