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5 envelopes with white powder prompt evacuation at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Phil Corso
Published Aug 14, 2025
Modified Aug 14, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
and
Phil Corso
Published Aug 14, 2025
Modified Aug 14, 2025
Share
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A federal building in Lower Manhattan was evacuated Thursday afternoon after five envelopes containing an unidentified white powder were discovered in the mailroom of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices, according to city officials.
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said the department responded in less than four minutes after the call came in around 4 p.m. The powder was found on the building’s ninth floor at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. The floor above is currently used as a processing and holding facility for migrants.
“There are no injuries at this time,” said Kaz Daughtry, the city’s deputy mayor for public safety. “We are awaiting the test results to determine the contents of the envelope, and we’ll keep the public updated as more information becomes available.”
The NYPD, FDNY, Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Emergency Management all responded to the scene alongside federal agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and ICE, officials said.
Entrance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) New York Headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan.
Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images
Christopher Raia, the FBI’s assistant director in charge of the New York Field Office, said initial testing of the substance is underway and the letters will be sent to the FBI lab in Quantico for further analysis.
He said initial indications were that two people in the ICE workspace were exposed to the powder.
“There’s no indication at this point that there’s danger to the public,” he said, but added that sending threatening letters of this nature “is a crime” and will be taken seriously.
A class action lawsuit filed last week alleges that people held there are living in inhumane conditions, including “sleeping on the concrete floor next to the toilet, in cells that are either freezing or oppressively hot.”
City officials have urged people to avoid the area and expect increased police presence and temporary street closures.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
manhattan
new york city
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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