Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan was thrust into the spotlight on Thursday, August 14, 2025, when a routine afternoon at one of New York City’s most heavily guarded buildings was interrupted by the discovery of five envelopes containing a mysterious white powder. The incident, which unfolded in the ninth-floor mailroom of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, triggered an immediate evacuation and a swift response from both local and federal authorities, according to reports from CBS News New York and ABC7 New York.
The building at 26 Federal Plaza is no ordinary office block. Housing the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and ICE, it serves as a nerve center for federal law enforcement in the city. So, when employees stumbled upon the suspicious envelopes, alarm bells rang quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NYPD, and specialized hazmat units descended on the scene within minutes. According to the FDNY, first responders arrived just four minutes after the initial call came in, underscoring the seriousness with which these threats are treated in a post-9/11 world.
Christopher Raia, assistant director of the FBI’s New York City field office, described the scene: “Weapons of Mass Destruction and Hazard Evidence response teams immediately responded to the scene. The building was evacuated as per standard protocol and right now no threat remains to any employees or the public at this time.” The FBI later confirmed that the powder, initially feared to be a hazardous substance, was in fact boric acid—a chemical commonly found in pesticides and cleaning products, and potentially harmful if ingested.
“This is what we train for, that’s why today’s event was under control almost immediately without incident,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, reflecting a sense of calm professionalism amid the chaos. The evacuation, though dramatic, was part of standard safety procedures. Authorities reported that two employees were initially exposed to the powder, but both were quickly cleared and no injuries were reported.
Mayor Eric Adams took to social media Thursday evening to reassure New Yorkers, stating that officials had briefed him on the situation and that preliminary testing had found no dangerous substance in the powder. By Friday, he confirmed, “no threat remains to any employees or the public at this time.” DHS echoed this, explaining that some individuals had sheltered in place as part of established safety protocols, but the danger had passed.
While the immediate crisis was resolved without harm, the incident cast a spotlight on ongoing controversies surrounding 26 Federal Plaza. The building has long been a focal point for debates over immigration enforcement and detainee treatment. Over recent months, protests have erupted outside its doors, with activists and advocates alleging that immigrants held there have faced deplorable conditions.
According to ABC7 New York, these allegations include claims of overcrowding, inadequate access to basic necessities, and a lack of proper medical care. The Department of Homeland Security, however, has pushed back strongly against these accusations. In a recent statement to CBS News New York, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asserted, “It is a processing center where illegal aliens are briefly processed to be transferred to an ICE detention facility. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers. As we arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens and public safety threats from the U.S., ICE has worked diligently to obtain greater necessary detention space while avoiding overcrowding.”
Yet, scrutiny intensified earlier this week when U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration. On August 12, 2025, Judge Kaplan mandated that the administration must reduce the number of detainees and improve conditions at the facility. The order specifically called for the provision of sleeping mats and hygiene products, and highlighted the lack of in-person legal visits, medication, and more than two meals per day for those detained. During the court hearing, a government lawyer conceded that detainees at the facility did not have access to several of these basic services.
Following Thursday’s white powder scare, ICE officials relocated detainees from 26 Federal Plaza to a site in Newark, New Jersey. This move was described as a precautionary measure, ensuring detainee safety while investigations continued. The relocation also underscored the building’s dual role as both a processing center and a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration policy.
Law enforcement officials have not made any arrests in connection with the envelopes, but the investigation remains active. Authorities warn that anyone found responsible for sending the letters—whether as a threat or a prank—could face serious federal charges. The five envelopes and their contents have been sent to the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, for further analysis, a standard part of the federal response to suspicious substances.
Boric acid, the substance at the center of the scare, is well-known among pest control professionals and homeowners alike. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, it is frequently used to kill insects, spiders, mites, weeds, and mold. While generally safe when used as directed, it can be harmful if ingested, especially in large quantities. The FBI emphasized that, despite its common uses, any unexplained appearance of white powder in a federal building must be treated as a potential threat until proven otherwise.
The events at 26 Federal Plaza this week highlight the intersection of public safety, law enforcement preparedness, and the ongoing national conversation about immigration. For many, the swift and effective response by first responders offered reassurance in a city where memories of past attacks linger. For others, the incident served as a reminder of the persistent tensions surrounding federal immigration policy and the treatment of those caught in its web.
As the investigation continues, both city officials and federal agencies have pledged transparency and vigilance. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers, including those who work in and visit our federal buildings,” Mayor Adams said in his Friday briefing. For now, life at 26 Federal Plaza has returned to normal, but the building remains under the watchful eye of both the authorities and the public it serves.
In the end, Thursday’s scare may fade from headlines, but the questions it raises—about security, justice, and the treatment of the most vulnerable—are likely to linger much longer.