The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York, and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have strongly condemned Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement regarding the opening of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office on Rikers Island Correctional Facility in New York that would facilitate the deportation of immigrants.
This follows Adams’ coordination and public appearances with US “border czar” Thomas Homan, and comes after Adams’ corruption case was dropped by US federal prosecutors at the behest of President Donald Trump.
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“For centuries, immigrants have built the economy and culture of New York City – and for years, our sanctuary laws and policies have protected immigrant New Yorkers from ICE’s predatory enforcement practices. While Trump is detaining and disappearing people across the country without due process, Mayor Adams and his administration is rolling out the welcome mat for violating New Yorkers’ civil rights with impunity,” NYIC’s President and CEO Murad Awawdeh told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday.
“Adams is making a run around on the city’s longstanding sanctuary laws – public safety measures that make New York safer for everyone – and attacking the very ideals that make New York the greatest city in the world,” Awawdeh added.
“Now is the time for New York’s elected officials to stand firm in protecting our immigrant families, as our mayor has once again proved he is unwilling to,” he continued. “We will work with the NYC City Council with urgency to fight this.”
Speaker Adams, no relations with Mayor Adams, noted that First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro on Tuesday issued Executive Order 50 to re-establish the ability for ICE agents to operate on Rikers Island for criminal enforcement.
“The mayor’s decision to compromise the city’s sovereignty, threaten chaos, and risk harm to our families ultimately resulted in the resignation of four deputy mayors,” she added.
“As we have made abundantly clear, Local Law 58 of 2014 has clear guidelines that prohibit the use of office space on Rikers for the enforcement of civil immigration enforcement,” Speaker Adams continued. “The Council is closely reviewing the order, and is prepared to defend against violations of the law to protect the safety of all New Yorkers.”
Executive Order 50 notes that Rikers Island is the site of correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections (DOC) and currently houses members and associates of designated terrorist organizations, among other individuals incarcerated there. (CMC)
