A federal immigration office in Lower Manhattan was evacuated Thursday afternoon after several envelopes containing an unidentified white powder were discovered inside, prompting a swift hazmat response and a full-scale investigation.

The suspicious substance was found shortly before 4 p.m. on the ninth floor of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office at 26 Federal Plaza, according to law enforcement. Federal detainees held at the facility were quickly relocated to a secure area outside the building as emergency crews converged on the scene.

Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the incident in a public statement. “New Yorkers, I have been preliminarily briefed on the matter unfolding at 26 Federal Plaza where envelopes containing white powder were discovered,” Adams said. “I want to also reassure you that there are no known injuries at this time.”

Adams added that FDNY hazardous materials teams were working alongside federal agencies to secure the building and test the substance. “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,” he said.

The nature of the powder and the origin of the envelopes remain under investigation. Authorities have not disclosed how many envelopes were found or whether the incident is being treated as criminal in nature.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)