Explosion outside immigration court disrupts lower Manhattan
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Investigators from various agencies gather outside of 26 Federal Plaza on July 20, 2026 in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images.
A suspect was arrested Monday after setting off fireworks and igniting a fire outside a federal building that houses an immigration court in New York City, an FBI spokesperson said.
The big picture: The court's holding center has been accused of crowded and unhealthy conditions and has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration's nationwide immigration crackdown.
- The complex, located at 26 Federal Plaza, houses dozens of federal agencies and thousands of federal employees.
- It also houses the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building and James L. Watson U.S. Court of International Trade, as well as the New York field office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
What they're saying: "Around 9 o'clock this morning, a man with an incendiary device and some liquid — I don't know what the liquid was — put the liquid down, set some fireworks on top of it," an FBI spokesperson said during a Monday press conference.
- "It caused a little bit of a little fire."
- The FBI told Axios in an emailed statement that the "individual has been taken into custody and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident."
Driving the news: The suspect reportedly has a history of anti-ICE activism and mental health issues, according to local reporting.
- The explosion closed down roads, caused transit disruptions and drew a large emergency response.
- One federal employee and one civilian were injured, per the FBI. They were both "treated and released" shortly after. The civilian was at the building t
Zoom in: James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI New York Field Office identified the suspect Monday afternoon as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca.
- Arrabaca served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic who worked on Patriot missile systems.
- "Arrabaca came armed with bad intentions," Barnacle said. "Arrabaca was looking to injure people and harm people." He said investigators recovered two axes, a hammer, a machete, three fixed-blade knives, six incendiary devices or fireworks and other destructive items from the suspect.
- Barnacle said Arrabaca was pushing a cart containing anti-ICE literature and shouted profanities directed at ICE officers as he was arrested. "He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist," Barnacle said.
- The cart also displayed a sign reading, "ICE off our streets." As of Monday afternoon, Arrabaca had not been charged.
Zoom out: "What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing," NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a post on X.
- "I'm relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody. My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation."
- "Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city — and hold accountable any who threaten that."
Avery Lotz contributed to this reporting.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
