A controversial policing operation at New York’s Penn Station has resulted in nearly 200 arrests since June, sparking outrage from civil rights groups and local officials who have labelled the crackdown a discriminatory attack on LGBTQ+ individuals.
According to reports by The City and The Gothamist, the arrests took place near the men’s toilets by the entrance at Eighth Avenue and 31st Street — an area listed as a cruising spot on the gay hook-up app Sniffies. While only a handful of public lewdness arrests were made in the first five months of 2025, that number has surged to almost 200 in the past four months, with some days seeing up to 20 arrests.
The New York-based Legal Aid Society, which has been tracking the cases, confirmed the sharp increase and described the sting as targeted and deeply concerning.
Warnings on Hook-Up Apps
Sniffies users have attempted to alert each other to the heightened police presence. Messages such as “Undercover cops in bathroom” and “Stop playing in [Penn Station]… they have undercover cops hiding in the bathrooms” circulated widely, painting a picture of fear and confusion within the local gay community.
David, a gay man travelling to New Jersey, was among those arrested. He said he was simply using the bathroom while wearing a Pride wristband when he noticed someone watching him. Moments later, he was told he was under arrest for public lewdness.
“I had never been arrested in my life. It was traumatising,” David said. He was detained and handcuffed to a cell, where he claims he heard officers say: “Got three more f*g pervs.” His charges were later dropped.
Immigration Impact
An undercover Amtrak officer, speaking anonymously to The Gothamist, said the operation targeted men believed to be seeking sexual encounters. Several individuals arrested had Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers placed on them, potentially triggering deportation proceedings.
One Mexican man, who was married to a U.S. citizen and awaiting an asylum decision, was detained for a month before being released by a judge.
While New York City’s sanctuary policies prevent NYPD officers from cooperating with ICE, Amtrak police — as federal officers — are not bound by these rules.
City Councillors Demand Accountability
Following the revelations, City Councillors Erik Bottcher and Tiffany Cabán wrote to Amtrak President Roger Harris expressing “deep concern” over what they described as “alarming violations of civil rights, due process, and protections against discriminatory policing.”
They warned that the sting mirrored past NYPD practices that were eventually deemed unconstitutional and had to be abandoned. “It is alarming to see nearly identical practices being carried out by Amtrak police with even more severe consequences, including deportation,” they wrote.
The councillors demanded that Amtrak immediately cease the sting operations, publish a detailed account of the arrests, and implement safeguards to prevent future rights violations.
Amtrak’s Response
In response, Amtrak spokesperson Beth Toll confirmed the increase in patrols at Penn Station, saying they were intended to “reinforce public safety”.
“Since implementing the heightened patrols, incidents have declined significantly. Amtrak remains committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all travellers,” she said.
However, advocates continue to call for transparency and accountability, warning that such stings disproportionately target queer people and fuel harmful stereotypes.
