'Separated by ICE' Wins World Press Photo of the Year for 2026

The photograph shows Luis, an Ecuadorian asylum seeker, being detained by ICE agents after an immigration court hearing, as his family watches.

The World Press Photo organization announced its Photo of the Year for 2026: 'Separated by ICE' by Carol Guzy, published by ZUMA Press, iWitness, for the Miami Herald.

The image was captured inside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City on August 26, 2025. It depicts Luis, an Ecuadorian asylum seeker, in the grip of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following an immigration court hearing—while his family looks on.

The Story Behind the Image

The photograph is part of a larger body of work titled 'ICE Arrests at New York Court'. Guzy documented the scene over several months, having gained access to a courthouse hallway where photographers were permitted.

According to Guzy, Luis was married to Cocha. The couple had three children: two daughters, aged 13 and 15, and a seven-year-old son. The family's current whereabouts are unknown; they did not appear at a church providing aid to detainee families.

Statements from Key Figures

Joumana El Zein Khoury, executive director of World Press Photo, said the image shows "children losing their father in a place built for justice" and serves as a "stark record" of family separation following U.S. policy changes.

Guzy stated that she began documenting the courthouse after observing public support for mass deportation at the 2024 Republican National Convention. She noted that ICE agents wait outside courtrooms to detain individuals after hearings, often causing family separations.

Context and Background

Guzy has won four Pulitzer Prizes. She described covering immigration as "a war on the streets of America" and emphasized the importance of putting a face on those affected by policies.