Regarding whether she is “bucking the mayor” in his attempt to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump, a senior municipal Department of Education official is asking for donations for a non-profit that aids migrants in fending off deportation.
DOE’s chief attorney, Elizabeth Vladeck, made a plea on social media X, formerly known as Twitter, on December 31 for donations to the Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project, a nonprofit organization.
Vladeck noted, “Your support is essential in furthering our mission to provide free legal and social services to detained adults and unaccompanied children facing immigration removal proceedings.” Adding, “Make a gift to the Florence Project today!”
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Vladeck’s proposal has drawn criticism after Mayor Adams’ ” cordial” meeting with new border czar Tom Homan and Hizzoner’s more forceful approach to deporting migrants who are suspected of serious crimes.
Reporters were informed by a DOE-affiliated source, “You have a senior member of the administration, the top attorney for the city’s largest agency, who is basically bucking the mayor behind his back.”
Adams in February demanded greater collaboration with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a revision to the city’s sanctuary policy that severely restricts connection with federal officials following a string of suspected crimes involving migrants.
Adams stated last month that he is open to deporting those suspected of violent crimes rather than waiting for convictions before sending them out after migrants hurt police officers conducting an arrest for stealing.
He most recently called on the NYPD to collaborate with Homeland Security to bring federal charges against the Guatemalan immigrant who is suspected of killing a lady on the subway by setting her on fire.
“I am not going to be ‘warring’ with this president. I’m going to be working with this president,” said mayor Adams.
According to its most recent tax returns, the Florence Project generated $32.6 million in 2022. It has helped thousands of migrants crossing the Arizona border with Mexico and advises asylum seekers of their legal rights if they are detained by ICE.
Mayor Adams wants the Guatemalan immigrant who is suspected of murdering a lady on the subway by lighting her on fire to face federal prosecution.
“Project Open Arms,” a DOE initiative, aims to assist migratory children. In response to Trump’s threat of mass deportations, Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos recently advised principals to call the legal division right away for instructions rather than allowing ICE or FBI officials to access schools.
According to DOE regulation, non-local law enforcement officers with no court-issued warrant or subpoena will be prohibited from entering.
Professor of education David Bloomfield of the CUNY Grad Center and Brooklyn College believes Vladeck’s proposal for the Florence Project is conflict-free.
The Florence Project defends the legal rights of asylum-seeking migrants who are entering Arizona from Mexico. www.firrp.org
“Her call to support the organization is consistent with DOE policies to uphold immigrant student rights, and to hold immigration authorities to their legal obligations,” he noted.
The DOE maintains that Vladeck made an appeal for funds “on her own time” and on New Year’s Eve, when schools were closed, in accordance with social media procedure for city and DOE personnel.
