ISTANBUL 

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nine undocumented immigrants with criminal records during an operation on Canal Street in New York City, the Homeland Security Department said Wednesday.

The agency said those arrested had criminal histories, including "robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession, and forgery."

It accused the former US administration of not doing enough, noting that five of those detained entered the US under the Joe Biden administration.

The agency described the enforcement action as "targeted, intelligence-driven" against counterfeit goods sales, but noted protesters assaulted and obstructed law enforcement by blocking vehicles during the operation. Four people were arrested for assaulting law enforcement and another for obstruction.

The New York Police Department tried to distance itself from the operation, stating it had "no involvement in the federal operation that took place on Canal Street."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul criticized the operation, and wrote on US social media company X, that US President Donald Trump "claims he's targeting the 'worst of the worst.' Today his agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders on Canal Street."

"You don't make New York safer by attacking New Yorkers," she added.