Senegalese national arrested and charged after allegedly attacking ICE officers with scissors at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan

New York – A 22-year-old Senegalese national has been arrested and charged after allegedly attacking multiple federal officers with a pair of scissors at a federal immigration facility in Lower Manhattan. The incident unfolded on the evening of July 18, 2025, at 26 Federal Plaza, a major U.S. immigration processing center.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, the suspect, identified as Bass Ndiaye, was in custody and undergoing routine immigration processing at the facility when he reportedly seized a pair of scissors and began swinging them in the direction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, security personnel, and fellow detainees. The outburst of violence prompted a swift and coordinated response from law enforcement officers on site, who were ultimately able to subdue and restrain Ndiaye before anyone was seriously injured.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton announced the charges Friday afternoon and made clear that assaults on federal personnel would be taken with utmost seriousness.

“Bass Ndiaye’s alleged attempt to attack multiple ICE officers by wielding a dangerous weapon endangered numerous members of law enforcement and nearly a dozen civilians,” said Clayton. “The safety of federal law enforcement and the communities they protect is paramount, and we will prosecute those who threaten that safety to the full extent of the law.”

The complaint details that the attack occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m., shortly after Ndiaye had been arrested the previous day, July 17, by ICE agents. At the time of the incident, he was awaiting transport to an immigration detention center. Authorities allege that while in the processing room, Ndiaye suddenly grabbed a pair of scissors and began acting aggressively, attempting to stab officers and others present.

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Among those endangered were ICE officers, private security guards, a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and roughly a dozen other detainees.

“ICE arrested Bass Ndiaye—an illegal alien from Senegal—on July 17,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs for the Department of Homeland Security. “While in custody, he attempted to stab law enforcement officers and others surrounding him. Now, this dangerous criminal will face justice for his violent actions. Make no mistake: attacks on law enforcement are on the rise. Secretary Noem stands with the brave men and women of law enforcement as they risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens and protect Americans.”

Thanks to the officers’ training and rapid response, the attack was quickly brought under control and no serious injuries were reported. Ndiaye was taken into custody and brought before Magistrate Judge Ona Wang later that day.

Ndiaye now faces one count of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. The statutory maximum sentence is determined by Congress, and the final sentencing will be decided by a federal judge based on the facts and circumstances of the case.

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The case is currently being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Arffa assigned to prosecute. As with all federal criminal proceedings, the charges are allegations, and Ndiaye is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The incident has raised new concerns among federal officials about the safety of immigration processing centers and the increasing risks faced by law enforcement officers during the performance of routine duties.

For now, authorities are continuing to investigate how the weapon was accessed and whether any additional security measures may be necessary to prevent future incidents of this nature.