“I have answered that question repeatedly. I am not going to continue addressing the same question regarding the collaboration of city agencies,” he added. Adams declined to specify the particular “law” he was referencing, but his office clarified that he was alluding to sanctuary city laws that he inherited. These laws prohibit the NYPD, Department of Corrections, and Department of Probation from cooperating with ICE unless the cases involve suspected terrorists or other significant public safety risks.
Migrants were observed at Floyd Bennett Field on January 12, 2024. Paul Martinka, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed Adams’ sentiments earlier in the week when she informed The Post that the department “will always adhere to the law.” Tisch stated, “Currently, the law in New York City mandates that the Police Department will not engage in civil immigration enforcement.” She emphasized, “We will continue collaborating with our federal partners on criminal matters, but an individual’s immigration status is not information we monitor, and we are prohibited by law from participating in civil immigration enforcement.”
Despite these regulations, a 20-year NYPD veteran expressed frustration over the city’s reluctance to assist federal immigration authorities in apprehending unauthorized migrants. The veteran officer lamented, “I strongly dislike the idea of not assisting another law enforcement agency. I find it extremely unfair.” He questioned why government officials in New York City are protecting immigrants who are involved in criminal activities against local residents, stating, “Why wouldn’t you want these individuals to be removed? It’s incomprehensible to me.”
Adams has consistently advocated for the relaxation of sanctuary city rules to enable the transfer of migrants suspected of serious crimes to ICE, a practice that was permitted under sanctuary city policies dating back to 1989 during the administrations of former mayors Ed Koch and Michael Bloomberg. Additional regulations implemented in 2014 and 2018 under Bill de Blasio’s tenure as mayor have made it increasingly challenging for the city to provide assistance to ICE.
ICE’s “Operation Safeguard” is anticipated to continue until the upcoming Monday, with up to 200 ICE officers expected to conduct immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The deportation initiative, known as “Operation Safeguard,” is projected to span approximately one week.
Tom Homan, the incoming border czar under the Trump administration, has pledged to commence mass deportations on the first day of the new administration, focusing on illegal immigrants deemed to pose threats to the country. Meanwhile, New York City’s resources allocated to support asylum seekers and other undocumented border crossers have been strained, with costs reaching nearly $7 billion since April 2022, as stated by Adams on Saturday.
