A protest broke out in front of the Bronx Criminal Courthouse Thursday after the arrest of a man by immigration officials.

Public defenders and immigration activists rallied for Aboubacar Dembele.

The father of three was trying to resolve a misdemeanor assault and was grabbed by immigration agents when he walked out.

"He's like the main source of income, he helps out with family. He helps pay the bills. It's just very unexpected," said Zaquera Lanier, Dembele's wife. 

"Not only was he taken into custody and may get deported but he was denied his right to due process, which is a crux of the American judicial system," said Legal Aid Society Attorney Casey Dalporto.

Dembele came to the country from West Africa when he was just three years old.

He applied for "Dreamer" status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but was turned down last year.

Officials say his green card application was not accepted and he's no longer allowed in the country.