Rep. Ritchie Torres Demands Federal Investigation into Violent ICE Incidents in the Bronx 

BRONX, NY — Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari urging his office to open a formal investigation into two deeply troubling videos documenting violent actions by ICE agents in the Norwood section of the Bronx. The videos show the brutal detention of Jeury Concepcion, an American citizen, and a second incident in which ICE agents forcefully detained another individual as he attempted to enter a building. Both incidents have sent shockwaves through the Norwood community and raised urgent questions about the conduct and accountability of federal immigration enforcement agents.

The first video depicts multiple ICE officers following Concepcion and his friends as they walked to get a haircut in the Bronx. The footage shows an ICE agent drawing his firearm and pointing it at the group while they had their backs turned. Concepcion was then tackled to the ground by three ICE agents and detained on the sidewalk. After being placed in handcuffs, Concepcion was visibly injured, with scratches and a gash on the right side of his head that later required stitches. The incident is believed to be a case of mistaken identity, raising serious concerns about whether ICE agents had any lawful basis to pursue, confront, and use force against Concepcion and his companions in the first place.

The second incident, reported near Hull Avenue and E Gun Hill Road, involved multiple ICE agents grabbing, tackling, and detaining a man who appeared to be attempting to enter a building, all captured on video. The footage raises similar questions about the proportionality and justification of the force used by federal agents against individuals in a residential neighborhood.

These incidents follow White House Border Czar Tom Homan‘s public threat to flood New York’s streets with ICE agents. Within 24 hours of Homan’s remarks, these two violent episodes unfolded, directly undermining his claim that a surge in ICE presence would make New York safer. Far from improving public safety, the reckless escalation of ICE enforcement has made everyday life more dangerous for the residents of the Bronx, including American citizens going about their daily lives.

The full letter reads:

“I write and urge you to open an investigation into two deeply chilling videos demonstrating grotesque actions taken by ICE agents in the Norwood section of the Bronx, which I represent in Congress. One video shows Jeury Concepcion, an American citizen, being tackled, bloodied and detained by ICE agents in the Norwood section of the Bronx, while the second exhibits ICE agents forcefully detaining another individual as he tries to enter a building. 

“The first video show multiple ICE officers were following Jeury and his friends who were on their way for a haircut in the Bronx. It also displays one of the ICE agents begin to chase the group and even pull out his firearm and point it at the group while the group had their backs towards the ICE officer. The video continues to show Jeury on the ground with three ICE agents on top of him detaining him on the sidewalk. Once in handcuffs, it is clear that Jeury suffered injuries from the encounter including scratches, and a gash on the right side of his head. In an interview with a local news station, you can see that Jeury required stitches to close the gash on his head. 

“It has also been reported that on Hull Avenue near E Gun Hill Road, there was another incident where multiple ICE agents detained an individual who, based on a video, was trying to enter a building. In the video, ICE agents are seen grabbing the man, tackling him to the ground, getting on top of him and eventually detaining him.

“ICE agents chasing people with firearms drawn without being harassed or attacked is extremely dangerous. These two incidents exemplify the callous tactics used by this Administration against American citizens and exposes the deep rot that has consumed the agency. 

“These incidents occur on the heels of White House Border Czar Tom Homan threatening New York State that there will be more ICE agents on the streets of New York: “You’re going to see more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen before. So, congratulations.” Mr. Homan stated that more agents on the street will make New York safer. Yet, these incidents that occurred within 24 hours of Mr. Homan run contrary to that thought. More ICE agents only create a more dangerous and threatening environment for everyday citizens, and lead to more Jeury Concepcion moments. 

“These are the moments when it is critical for your office to conduct a thorough investigation into the unjust detainment of Jeury Concepcion based on mistaken identity. As such, I ask that you respond to this letter by Friday, May 22.”

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