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Elderly woman pepper-sprayed by ICE agent files federal claim, plans lawsuit

Jul 30, 2026·Location: Inwood, NY

Elderly woman pepper-sprayed by ICE agent files federal claim, plans lawsuit
Photo via amny.com

An elderly woman, identified as Linda Wolff, a 72-year-old immigrant rights supporter, was pepper-sprayed by a masked ICE agent on July 30 while filming an enforcement operation in Inwood. She has since filed a federal tort claim against ICE and appeared with Gov. Kathy Hochul to highlight new New York laws barring local police from immigration enforcement and allowing people to sue individual ICE officers in state court. ICE said its officers "followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary."

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