Chaos erupted Thursday at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building after an envelope with a mysterious white powder was discovered on the ninth floor — the section housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The incident prompted a swift evacuation of the building at 26 Federal Plaza, which also houses the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.
DHS confirmed the evacuation, explaining that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” to protect employees and visitors. While some inside the building evacuated immediately, others were ordered to shelter in place under established safety protocols. Federal officials stressed that, as of Thursday evening, there was “no indication of danger” to the broader public.
ICE agents have made headlines recently for arresting illegal migrants directly after their immigration hearings in this same building — a move that has angered left-wing activists and politicians. Given the agency’s high-profile role in enforcing immigration law, the appearance of a potentially dangerous substance in their offices immediately raised concerns about targeted intimidation or retaliation.
Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the situation on X, assuring residents that there were no reported injuries and that Hazmat teams from the FDNY were on-site to secure the building. “While we await test results from our federal partners, FDNY Hazmat teams are on the ground to ensure the safety of everyone inside and outside of the building,” Adams wrote.
FOX 5 reported that the suspicious envelopes were located specifically within ICE’s office space. New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry stated during an evening press conference that the contents were still being analyzed, with officials awaiting final test results before making any public determination.
The FBI has now taken the lead in the investigation, working alongside DHS and local authorities to trace the source of the envelope and determine whether it was part of a broader threat. So far, no arrests have been made, and officials have not disclosed whether the powder appears to be a harmless substance or something more dangerous.
The incident underscores the increasingly hostile climate facing federal immigration officers, particularly in sanctuary city strongholds like New York, where ICE has been under relentless political attack. Federal buildings housing immigration enforcement have long been the focus of protests, vandalism, and threats — but the discovery of a suspicious substance raises the stakes considerably.
As the investigation continues, both city and federal leaders are urging calm while reinforcing that every precaution is being taken. “We strongly encourage the public to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to address the situation,” DHS said in its statement.
With tensions already high over President Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement push, the outcome of the FBI’s testing could reveal whether Thursday’s disruption was merely a scare — or a deliberate act meant to intimidate those enforcing America’s immigration laws.
