Footage showed a crowd sitting in front of the vehicle in Peckham, south-east London.
Shouts of "Let him go" could be heard clearly.
Police were called to Evan Cook Close at 1.30pm yesterday "to a report of protesters obstructing immigration officers".
A spokesman for the Met added: "A van was being prevented from leaving the location. One man has been arrested by immigration enforcement officers." He was released on bail later on.
Nearby resident 'Peacefu is pow Eleanor Janega, 39, said: "We were alerted that there was an immigration raid in process so locals came down to block it." She added: "We had been sitting here blocking the van and having ice lollies. They brought more police in and tried to break through the crowd by pushing us.
We all sat down." Labour councillor Reginald Popoola said people "encircled the van peacefully" but claimed some were shoved during the protest.
Hearing that the man had been released on bail, Mr Popoola said: "Peaceful protest is powerful."
Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe, a former Labour politician who was expelled from the party after being convicted of harassment, praised the crowd. She wrote online: "In response to a Home Office immigration raid, with the power of humanity and solidarity, the people of Peckham mobilised, fought back and got their neighbour released.
Denne historien er fra June 12, 2022-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 12, 2022-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lando's full of team spirit with Lewis at low ebb
LANDO NORRIS showed it was payback time in Qatar, while Lewis Hamilton cannot wait for a wretched campaign to end.
UNAI BELIEVED HE COULD BANK ON BARKLEY
ROSS BARKLEY'S charge back to the top of English football is gathering momentum.
Global trade Set to put up the barriers
RISING global trade barriers threaten to drag on worldwide economic growth and unsettle the stability of the UK's financial system, the Bank of England has warned.
Bishop who made Welby resign warns of more Church scandals
THE CLERGYWOMAN who forced Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign over a notorious child abuse case has warned \"a lot more\" Church of England scandals will come to light.
Rabies alert puts puppy smugglers in spotlight
FAMILIES hoping to buy a pet for Christmas have been warned against buying a smuggled puppy which could carry rabies.
Own goal! Fears new watchdog could trigger Europe ban
CALLS have been made for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to guarantee a planned new football regulator will not lead to English teams being banned from international competitions.
How Al Fayed 'hid his abuse’
A FORMER Harrods director described how Mohamed AI Fayed would manipulate managers to conceal his alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women and girls.
Is Russia losing its srip on Georgia?
RUSSIA is losing influence in Georgia and the South Caucasus to its allies China and Iran, a report claims.
Disabled Peanut and Peps give Claire a pet project
A WOMAN who adopted a blind dog and a lame cat has written two children's books about her beloved pets to teach youngsters about disability.
‘One-term wonders’ given cold shoulder by Westminster
MORE than 80 MPs turfed out of Parliament in the general election face another indignity after being denied House of Commons passes.