Hundreds gathered in New York City Friday night to protest raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week that resulted in the arrests of hundreds in several states.

According to a report by The Washington Post, widespread panic spread amongst activists, immigrants and on social media after it was reported that ICE had conducted numerous raids over the last 48 hours in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and several other cities.

ICE said that 160 people have been arrested. But the agency maintained that it's not a sign of new policy.

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"While this week’s operation was an enforcement surge, the focus was no different than the routine, targeted arrests carried out by ICE’s Fugitive Operations Teams on a daily basis," a spokeswoman said.

Protestors took to the streets of New York City Friday to decry the raids.

#ICERaids around the nation are unacceptable. NYC will never turn away immigrants & refugees. We must rise, resist, repeat. #HeretoStay pic.twitter.com/Q4m7GC0oNd — Tish James (@TishJames) February 11, 2017

Undocumented immigrants lead march encircling @USCIS/federal offices in lower Manhattan. Over 1,000 ppl, organizers say. #HeretoStay. pic.twitter.com/6zVl9OVTUL — oscar perry abello (@oscarthinks) February 11, 2017