Overview

• An Amtrak representative confirmed that enforcement at a Penn Station men’s restroom led to more than 200 arrests since June 1, with reporting indicating roughly 20 people were transferred to ICE.
• Gothamist and The City detailed undercover operations in the restroom, including officers posted at urinals or in stalls and references to the hookup app Sniffies in warnings shared by users.
• Legal Aid and other advocates report many public lewdness charges were later dropped or handled through diversion programs, though immigration consequences persisted for some arrestees.
• One detained man with a pending asylum claim was held about a month before a judge ordered his release, according to immigration attorneys cited in the coverage.
• Amtrak says it increased patrols to reinforce safety and that incidents have declined significantly, while elected officials have demanded documentation of the tactics and secured a meeting with President Roger Harris.