Mayor Adams Pushes for Return of ICE Office at Rikers Island

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday that he intends to allow the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency to operate within the Rikers Island jail complex. This decision comes after his recent meeting with Tom Homan, President Trump’s former immigration enforcement official, as discussions on immigration policy evolve amid federal pressure on local administrations.

During the meeting, which took place at 26 Federal Plaza, Adams stated that he would pursue an executive order aimed at reinstating federal immigration enforcement activities at Rikers, an action prohibited since the city enacted its sanctuary laws. These laws restrict local entities from cooperating with ICE on civil immigration matters.

“We are now working on implementing an executive order that will reestablish the ability for ICE agents to operate on Rikers Island – as was the case for 20 years,” Adams’s office declared in a statement. The suggestion that ICE could renew its presence has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights advocates and local lawmakers, who view it as a significant rollback of the city’s protective measures for undocumented immigrants.

ICE had previously operated at Rikers until 2015, when former Mayor Bill de Blasio‘s administration ended the practice. Critics argue that allowing ICE officials back into the facility not only compromises the well-being of vulnerable residents but also challenges the integrity of New York’s sanctuary city status.

Adams further explained that the proposed ICE office would focus on assisting the Correctional Intelligence Bureau in combating violent crimes and gangs. “Now, instead, ICE agents would specifically be focused on assisting in criminal investigations, particularly those centered on violent criminals,” he stated.

The mayor’s office suggested that facilitating ICE’s operations is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety in New York City. Amidst increasing tensions surrounding immigration, Adams has publicly acknowledged the strain that an influx of migrants has placed on city resources, stating that over 230,000 migrants have arrived since the spring of 2022 at an estimated cost of around $7 billion.

However, critics such as Murad Awawdeh, director of the New York Immigration Coalition, have condemned Adams’s plan, characterizing it as an attempt to circumvent local laws in service of federal immigration policy. He described the potential re-establishment of the ICE office as “a deal made with the devil,” warning that this will endanger the rights of immigrants and jeopardize public safety.

“Policies that allow all New Yorkers to live freely while improving everyone’s public safety are being challenged,” Awawdeh continued, adding that the public might resist these moves based on their long-standing implications for communities.

The meeting with Homan came amid heightened federal scrutiny on local authorities resisting immigration enforcement actions. Adams’s approach marks a striking contrast to the previous administration’s stance, stirring considerable debate among city officials and residents regarding the future of sanctuary protections in New York.

Adam’s administration highlighted intentions to increase collaborations between federal task forces and the New York Police Department (NYPD), further signaling a shift in dynamics as the federal administration intensifies its crackdown on undocumented migrants.

In response, advocates fear that renewed ICE presence will exacerbate fear and mistrust within immigrant communities, undermining critical local engagement and vital access to services. “The history will not look kindly on his betrayal of our communities,” Awawdeh added during discussions with the press.

With bipartisan pressures mounting both locally and federally, it’s unclear whether Adams’s proposals will garner enough support from the City Council, given existing advocacy for preserving immigrant rights against federal actions deemed detrimental.