Key Takeaways
• On April 15, 2025, NYC Council sued Mayor Adams to block Executive Order 50 allowing ICE at Rikers Island.
• ICE increased arrests near NYC immigration courts using tactics detaining immigrants after case dismissals.
• City Comptroller proposed $170M legal aid funding increase amid rising ICE enforcement and sanctuary law challenges.
The New York City Council’s recent legal action against the Adams administration marks a turning point in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in New York City. On April 15, 2025, the Council filed a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams, seeking to block Executive Order 50, which would allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to open an office at Rikers Island. This move has sparked strong reactions from city officials, immigrant advocates, and legal experts, raising urgent questions about the role of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the city’s sanctuary laws, and the future of immigrant protections in one of the country’s most diverse cities.
Why the City Council Is Suing Over NYPD and ICE Cooperation
The City Council’s lawsuit centers on the claim that Executive Order 50 violates New York City’s sanctuary laws. These laws were designed to keep local resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement and to protect immigrant communities from the threat of deportation. The Council argues that allowing ICE to operate at Rikers Island would undo years of progress and expose thousands of New Yorkers to the risk of detention and removal.
Speaker Adrienne Adams, who was empowered by the Council to take legal action against both Mayor Adams and the Trump administration, stated that the Council has a duty to “stand up for New Yorkers.” The lawsuit also alleges that the executive order is “tainted by the conflict of interest created by the corrupt bargain the mayor entered into – his personal freedom in exchange for an ICE office.” The Council claims that Mayor Adams cannot simply delegate his authority to First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro to resolve this conflict.
This legal challenge comes at a time when ICE enforcement activities are increasing across New York City, especially in and around courthouses and detention facilities. The Council’s actions reflect growing concern that the NYPD and other city agencies may be cooperating with ICE in ways that violate local laws and put immigrant families at risk.
How ICE Enforcement Has Escalated in New York City
Recent months have seen a sharp rise in ICE enforcement actions throughout New York City. According to reports, ICE agents have been arresting and detaining immigrants who appear for their immigration court hearings. These arrests have taken place in elevators, lobbies, and just outside courthouse doors at key locations such as:
- 26 Federal Plaza, New York City
- 201 Varick Street, New York City
- 290 Broadway, New York City
- Buffalo Immigration Court, Buffalo, NY
ICE has reportedly used a strategy where ICE lawyers ask judges to dismiss cases against certain individuals. As soon as these individuals leave the courtroom, ICE agents are waiting to detain them. This tactic has created a climate of fear among immigrants who must attend court hearings to resolve their legal status.
The Immigrant Defense Project, an advocacy group, has condemned these actions, saying they create “overwhelming fear for immigrant New Yorkers of using the court system and going through a legal process at all.” Immigrants now face a difficult choice: attend court and risk detention, or skip court and face removal orders for failing to appear.
The Rikers Island ICE Office Controversy
The most controversial recent development is Mayor Adams’ Executive Order 50, which would allow ICE to set up an office at Rikers Island. The City Council’s lawsuit describes this as “the poisoned fruit of Mayor Adams’s deal with the Trump Administration,” suggesting that the mayor agreed to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement in exchange for having charges against him dismissed.
Advocacy groups warn that this move would roll back protections established in 2014, when the City Council passed laws limiting NYPD and Department of Correction (DOC) cooperation with ICE and banning ICE from having a permanent base at Rikers. The Immigrant Defense Project argues that opening an ICE office at Rikers would “pave the way for ICE to separate more New Yorkers from their loved ones.”
These concerns are not new. Twenty years ago, young people at Rikers reported being questioned by ICE agents under the pretense of “legal visits.” This led to organizing efforts that resulted in the 2014 sanctuary laws. Now, many fear that the city is returning to a time when local and federal authorities worked together to detain and deport immigrants, often with little regard for due process or family unity.
The Role of the NYPD in Immigration Enforcement
The NYPD’s relationship with ICE is at the heart of the current debate. New York City’s sanctuary laws were created to limit the NYPD’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement. These laws prohibit the NYPD and other city agencies from sharing information with ICE or holding people for ICE unless there is a judicial warrant or the person has been convicted of certain serious crimes.
However, recent reports suggest that the NYPD may be cooperating with ICE in ways that go beyond what the law allows. For example, the NYPD has been accused of notifying ICE when certain individuals are released from custody, even when there is no legal requirement to do so. This has led to calls for a thorough investigation into the NYPD’s practices and greater transparency about how the department interacts with federal immigration authorities.
The City Council’s lawsuit seeks to clarify the limits of the NYPD’s cooperation with ICE and ensure that city agencies are following the law. Many advocates argue that any cooperation with ICE undermines public trust in the police and makes immigrant communities less likely to report crimes or seek help when they need it.
The Expansion of Federal Immigration Enforcement Programs
The conflict in New York City is part of a broader national trend. Under President Trump’s second term, the federal government has expanded the 287(g) program, which allows ICE to delegate immigration enforcement duties to state and local police. According to analysis from The Markup, the number of local agencies participating in 287(g) more than doubled in the first months of Trump’s second term through April 15, 2025.
The 287(g) program operates under three main models:
- Task Force Model: Local officers are given the power to question, detain, and arrest people they suspect of violating immigration laws while on patrol.
- Jail Enforcement Model: Deputized officers can question people in jail about their immigration status and issue holds to keep them in custody for up to 48 hours.
- Warrant Service Officer Model: Officers are allowed to serve ICE administrative warrants inside jails or correctional facilities.
These programs have been criticized for leading to constitutional violations, family separations, and the targeting of Black immigrants and other immigrants of color. Many cities, including New York, have tried to limit their participation in 287(g) and similar programs, but the federal government continues to push for greater cooperation.
For more information about the 287(g) program and its impact, readers can visit the official ICE 287(g) Program page.
Financial and Legal Response from City Officials
In response to the increase in ICE enforcement and the threat to sanctuary protections, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has called for a major boost in funding for immigrant legal services. On June 10, 2025, Lander recommended increasing the city’s annual investment in these services by $170 million, bringing the total to $230 million per year (up from about $60 million).
Lander also criticized the Adams administration for cutting or restructuring programs that had been expanded during President Trump’s first term, such as ActionNYC and the Rapid Response Legal Collaborative. He argued that these programs are essential for protecting immigrant New Yorkers and ensuring they have access to legal representation.
The City Council and other officials are pushing for additional protections, including:
- More funding for legal services
- Stronger oversight of NYPD and DOC cooperation with ICE
- Clearer guidelines for city agencies on how to handle ICE requests
These steps are seen as necessary to uphold the city’s sanctuary laws and protect vulnerable residents from the threat of detention and deportation.
Real-World Impact: Recent ICE Enforcement Actions
The complex relationship between local and federal law enforcement was highlighted by a recent case involving Marlon Josuel Cruz Fernandez, an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic wanted for homicide in his home country. On May 19, 2025, ICE New York City, working with the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations, arrested Cruz after the New Rochelle Police Department had initially detained him for having improper plates.
Cruz had entered the United States 🇺🇸 illegally in 2015, was released on bond in 2016, but failed to appear for his immigration hearing in 2017, resulting in a removal order. The New Rochelle Police released him before realizing he was an international fugitive. Once they learned of his background, they notified ICE, leading to his arrest.
This case shows how local police, the NYPD, and federal agencies like ICE can end up working together, sometimes unintentionally, to enforce immigration laws. It also highlights the challenges faced by local agencies trying to balance public safety with the rights and protections of immigrants.
Historical Context: Sanctuary Laws and Their Importance
New York City’s sanctuary laws were created to protect immigrants from being swept up in federal enforcement actions simply because of their immigration status. These laws were passed in response to years of advocacy and organizing by community groups, especially after reports of ICE agents questioning young people at Rikers Island under the guise of legal visits.
The 2014 legislation limited how the NYPD and DOC could cooperate with ICE, banned ICE from having a permanent office at Rikers, and set strict rules for when city agencies could share information with federal authorities. These protections were meant to prevent constitutional violations, keep families together, and build trust between immigrant communities and local government.
Legal experts and advocates argue that weakening these protections would have serious consequences, including:
- Increased family separations
- Erosion of trust in city agencies
- Disproportionate targeting of Black immigrants and other immigrants of color
- Greater fear and uncertainty for all immigrant New Yorkers
What’s Next for Immigrants, the NYPD, and New York City?
The outcome of the City Council’s lawsuit against Mayor Adams and the Trump administration will have major implications for the future of immigration enforcement in New York City. If the courts side with the Council, Executive Order 50 could be blocked, and the city’s sanctuary protections would remain in place. If not, ICE could gain a permanent foothold at Rikers Island, and the NYPD and other agencies might be required to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities.
Advocacy groups warn that allowing ICE greater access to people in DOC custody would undermine due process, separate families, and put entire communities at risk. They argue that the mayor’s executive order uses fear to justify policies that threaten the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing legal battle and the rise in ICE enforcement have left many immigrants in New York feeling anxious and uncertain about their future. The expansion of enforcement activities to immigration courts means that immigrants are now caught in a difficult position—required to appear in court or risk removal orders, yet facing possible detention if they do appear.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Their Families
For immigrants living in New York City, it is important to know your rights and seek legal help if you are facing immigration proceedings. Here are some practical steps:
- Know your rights: You do not have to answer questions from ICE agents without a lawyer present. You have the right to remain silent and to ask for an attorney.
- Seek legal help: Contact organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to immigrants. The city is working to increase funding for these services.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted sources, including the New York City Council, immigrant advocacy groups, and official government websites.
- Report abuses: If you believe your rights have been violated by the NYPD, ICE, or other agencies, report the incident to a legal aid organization or the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
For more information about your rights and available services, visit the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Conclusion: The Stakes for New York City and Beyond
The fight over NYPD cooperation with ICE and the future of sanctuary protections in New York City is about more than just local policy. It is a test case for how cities across the United States 🇺🇸 will respond to federal pressure to enforce immigration laws. The outcome will affect not only the lives of immigrants in New York but also set a precedent for other sanctuary jurisdictions.
As the legal battle continues, city officials, advocacy groups, and immigrant communities are watching closely. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of immigration enforcement, public safety, and community trust in New York City for years to come.
Immigrants, their families, and all New Yorkers should stay informed, know their rights, and seek support as the situation develops. The City Council’s lawsuit and the broader debate over NYPD and ICE cooperation show that the fight for immigrant protections is far from over—and that the stakes could not be higher.
Learn Today
Executive Order 50 → A 2025 mayoral order permitting ICE to establish a presence at Rikers Island detention facility.
Sanctuary Laws → Local laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrant communities from deportation.
287(g) Program → A federal program allowing local police to enforce immigration laws under ICE supervision through various enforcement models.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and detention in the U.S.
NYPD → New York Police Department, the city’s primary law enforcement agency involved in controversial immigration cooperation.
This Article in a Nutshell
The NYC Council’s lawsuit against Mayor Adams challenges Executive Order 50, which permits ICE to open a Rikers Island office, raising deep concerns over sanctuary law violations and escalating ICE actions near immigration courts. The legal fight could redefine immigrant protections and NYPD’s role in federal enforcement within New York City.
— By VisaVerge.com
