Madison Swart
@madisonswart.bsky.social
independent multimedia journalist reporting live from nyc! work featured in: NBC, NY Times, The Washington Post, CNN, TIME, Politico, The Cut, The Nation, The Gothamist, Huff Post, Democracy Now! they/she. work lives mainly on instagram: madisonswart
Zohran Mamdani makes history as he becomes the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Scenes from his election night at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn. #zohranmamdani
November 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Zohran Mamdani makes history as he becomes the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Scenes from his election night at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn. #zohranmamdani
Today ICE and federal agents detained a man at 26 Federal Plaza during court recess, before he had the opportunity to have his hearing.
October 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Today ICE and federal agents detained a man at 26 Federal Plaza during court recess, before he had the opportunity to have his hearing.
During a court recess, a Colombian migrant pleads with ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) and federal agents as they detain him before his hearing at 26 Federal Plaza on 10/27/25.
October 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
During a court recess, a Colombian migrant pleads with ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) and federal agents as they detain him before his hearing at 26 Federal Plaza on 10/27/25.
Multiple times during Governor Kathy Hochul’s speech at Zohran Mamdani’s “New York Is Not for Sale” rally, she was interrupted by the crowd chanting “Tax the rich!”
October 27, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Multiple times during Governor Kathy Hochul’s speech at Zohran Mamdani’s “New York Is Not for Sale” rally, she was interrupted by the crowd chanting “Tax the rich!”
New York, USA — September 9, 2025. A man reacts following a confrontation with federal agents on the 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza, outside immigration courtrooms.
October 24, 2025 at 12:52 AM
New York, USA — September 9, 2025. A man reacts following a confrontation with federal agents on the 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza, outside immigration courtrooms.
Outside 26 Federal Plaza protestors have gathered after a raid snatched up street vendors on Canal.
October 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Outside 26 Federal Plaza protestors have gathered after a raid snatched up street vendors on Canal.
NOW: protestors chant “ICE out of new york!” outside of 26 federal plaza. this protest comes after a raid where ICE took street vendors in Soho at canal street this afternoon.
October 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NOW: protestors chant “ICE out of new york!” outside of 26 federal plaza. this protest comes after a raid where ICE took street vendors in Soho at canal street this afternoon.
An ICE agent inside 26 Federal Plaza outside an immigration hearing, his glasses branded “Nemesis,” reflect the journalists documenting him in the hallway. Following Tuesday’s incident at 26 Federal Plaza, the image underscores the tense dynamic between press and ICE agents inside the building.
October 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
An ICE agent inside 26 Federal Plaza outside an immigration hearing, his glasses branded “Nemesis,” reflect the journalists documenting him in the hallway. Following Tuesday’s incident at 26 Federal Plaza, the image underscores the tense dynamic between press and ICE agents inside the building.
While elected officials demanded access to the 10th floor to observe conditions where migrants are held, an ICE agent struck a photographer’s camera (Michael Nigro) and then falsely claimed the photographer hit him: “You hit me in the face with it.”
September 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
While elected officials demanded access to the 10th floor to observe conditions where migrants are held, an ICE agent struck a photographer’s camera (Michael Nigro) and then falsely claimed the photographer hit him: “You hit me in the face with it.”
Yesterday at 26 Federal Plaza: a father left his immigration hearing carrying his sleeping daughter. ICE allowed him to hand her to his wife before detaining him. Later, 11 officials were arrested inside & 70+ protestors arrested outside blocking the driveway. www.instagram.com/p/DOyvyZXjRT...
September 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Yesterday at 26 Federal Plaza: a father left his immigration hearing carrying his sleeping daughter. ICE allowed him to hand her to his wife before detaining him. Later, 11 officials were arrested inside & 70+ protestors arrested outside blocking the driveway. www.instagram.com/p/DOyvyZXjRT...
Brad Lander and ten other elected officials were arrested inside 26 Federal Plaza after demanding access to observe the 10th floor, where detainees are held. The group staged a sit-in before Federal Protective Service officers moved in with zip ties.
September 19, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Brad Lander and ten other elected officials were arrested inside 26 Federal Plaza after demanding access to observe the 10th floor, where detainees are held. The group staged a sit-in before Federal Protective Service officers moved in with zip ties.
After leaving his immigration hearing with his sleeping daughter in his arms, a man is confronted by ICE and CBP. He passes the child to his wife in the waiting room, shares tearful goodbyes, and is then detained and escorted toward the staircase where he’ll be brought to the 10th floor.
September 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
After leaving his immigration hearing with his sleeping daughter in his arms, a man is confronted by ICE and CBP. He passes the child to his wife in the waiting room, shares tearful goodbyes, and is then detained and escorted toward the staircase where he’ll be brought to the 10th floor.
At 26 Federal Plaza today, ICE agents detained a man after his immigration hearing, leaving behind his wife and children. His wife broke down outside the courthouse with her young child. Their 7-year-old will return from school to find her father gone.
September 16, 2025 at 11:13 PM
At 26 Federal Plaza today, ICE agents detained a man after his immigration hearing, leaving behind his wife and children. His wife broke down outside the courthouse with her young child. Their 7-year-old will return from school to find her father gone.
On the evening of September 12, the New York Young Republican Club organized a vigil at Madison Square Park, drawing supporters after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. #charliekirk
September 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
On the evening of September 12, the New York Young Republican Club organized a vigil at Madison Square Park, drawing supporters after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. #charliekirk
A mother and her three children bow their heads in prayer in the hallway of 26 Federal Plaza before entering an immigration hearing on September 12th 2025 in New York.
September 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A mother and her three children bow their heads in prayer in the hallway of 26 Federal Plaza before entering an immigration hearing on September 12th 2025 in New York.
After her hearing at 26 Federal Plaza, a woman was detained and escorted toward the stairwell. Her husband, confused and in shock, was guided toward the exit. Minutes later, he broke down in the elevator. They entered together, but he left alone. This happens here daily. #ICE
September 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
After her hearing at 26 Federal Plaza, a woman was detained and escorted toward the stairwell. Her husband, confused and in shock, was guided toward the exit. Minutes later, he broke down in the elevator. They entered together, but he left alone. This happens here daily. #ICE
Tonight at the “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Brooklyn, Zohran Mamdani leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Senator Bernie Sanders. #zohranmamdani #berniesanders
September 7, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Tonight at the “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Brooklyn, Zohran Mamdani leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Senator Bernie Sanders. #zohranmamdani #berniesanders
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Reverend Al Sharpton backstage at the March on Wall Street in New York City on August 28, 2025. #zohranmamdani #alsharpton #marchonwallstreet
August 29, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Reverend Al Sharpton backstage at the March on Wall Street in New York City on August 28, 2025. #zohranmamdani #alsharpton #marchonwallstreet
Scenes from the past month inside NYC’s immigration courts. At 26 Federal Plaza and 290 Broadway, detainments happen daily, often out of public view. Families arrive together, but not everyone leaves together.
August 26, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Scenes from the past month inside NYC’s immigration courts. At 26 Federal Plaza and 290 Broadway, detainments happen daily, often out of public view. Families arrive together, but not everyone leaves together.
Two people nervously walk past ICE agents stationed outside immigration court in New York City after leaving their hearing. One agent rests against the wall, appearing asleep.
July 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Two people nervously walk past ICE agents stationed outside immigration court in New York City after leaving their hearing. One agent rests against the wall, appearing asleep.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been documenting what happens outside immigration court in NYC — where ICE waits quietly in the halls for hearings to end, then makes their move.
Each week brings a new pattern, but the outcome rarely changes: people are taken. Fear spreads. And the system keeps moving.
Each week brings a new pattern, but the outcome rarely changes: people are taken. Fear spreads. And the system keeps moving.
July 23, 2025 at 11:34 PM
For the past few weeks, I’ve been documenting what happens outside immigration court in NYC — where ICE waits quietly in the halls for hearings to end, then makes their move.
Each week brings a new pattern, but the outcome rarely changes: people are taken. Fear spreads. And the system keeps moving.
Each week brings a new pattern, but the outcome rarely changes: people are taken. Fear spreads. And the system keeps moving.
A man holds his son as ICE checks to see if he’s on the deportation list.
Both appear visibly shaken.
After a long pause, agents confirm he isn’t on it. They’re allowed to leave.
Scenes like this unfold daily inside New York’s immigration courts.
Both appear visibly shaken.
After a long pause, agents confirm he isn’t on it. They’re allowed to leave.
Scenes like this unfold daily inside New York’s immigration courts.
July 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A man holds his son as ICE checks to see if he’s on the deportation list.
Both appear visibly shaken.
After a long pause, agents confirm he isn’t on it. They’re allowed to leave.
Scenes like this unfold daily inside New York’s immigration courts.
Both appear visibly shaken.
After a long pause, agents confirm he isn’t on it. They’re allowed to leave.
Scenes like this unfold daily inside New York’s immigration courts.
The back of an ICE agent’s shirt in the hallway outside immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza.
July 18, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The back of an ICE agent’s shirt in the hallway outside immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza.
She walked out of her immigration hearing smiling — papers in hand, standing tall. She had no idea the man waiting in the hallway was ICE. No idea she was about to be detained.
This is happening inside NYC’s immigration courts. Every day. #ICE
This is happening inside NYC’s immigration courts. Every day. #ICE
July 17, 2025 at 1:33 AM
She walked out of her immigration hearing smiling — papers in hand, standing tall. She had no idea the man waiting in the hallway was ICE. No idea she was about to be detained.
This is happening inside NYC’s immigration courts. Every day. #ICE
This is happening inside NYC’s immigration courts. Every day. #ICE
