By Janet Howard, Journal Exclusive | Editorial credit: Artist Nadia Russ / shutterstock.com
New York City’s identity as a sanctuary city has been a core value for many of its residents, providing a shield for undocumented immigrants against aggressive federal immigration enforcement. However, recent developments suggest this long-standing commitment to immigrant protection may unravel. On February 13, 2025, a 90-minute meeting between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and U.S. “Border Czar” Tom Homan marked a significant shift in the city’s stance toward cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The meeting resulted in Adams pledging to allow ICE to operate on Rikers Island, overturning a decade-old sanctuary policy that prohibited the agency from cooperating with city law enforcement.
This announcement comes on the heels of a controversial political situation for Adams, following reports that the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, had moved to drop federal corruption charges against him, raising eyebrows about the possible motivations behind this political deal. The proposed rollback of sanctuary laws in New York City, specifically those that bar cooperation with ICE, has sparked an intense debate about the mayor’s commitment to the city’s immigrant community, as well as the broader implications for civil rights and public safety in the city.
Sanctuary Cities and the Law
Sanctuary cities, including New York City, have long resisted federal immigration enforcement mandates, arguing that local law enforcement should not assist ICE in detaining individuals solely based on immigration status. This policy, aimed at protecting immigrant communities, helps foster trust between local law enforcement and immigrant populations. In New York City, the sanctuary status was codified with a law passed over a decade ago that restricted the city’s cooperation with ICE.
The city’s sanctuary laws are grounded in the belief that local police should not be responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, which they argue could undermine trust in local law enforcement. The logic behind these policies is simple: undocumented immigrants may be less willing to report crimes or assist police in investigations if they fear they will be deported as a result. The protection of immigrant communities, especially those without legal documentation, is presented as crucial not only for civil rights but also for public safety, as the policies are intended to ensure that all residents feel safe in their communities.
The Meeting with Tom Homan and the Shift in Policy
During his meeting with Tom Homan, former Director of ICE and now a prominent figure in the Trump administration, Mayor Eric Adams pledged to allow ICE to operate on Rikers Island once again. This shift in policy would reinstate a practice that was discontinued a decade ago when sanctuary laws were implemented in the city. This proposed change is viewed by many as a direct challenge to New York’s sanctuary status, potentially paving the way for ICE to intensify deportation efforts in the city’s jails. It could also signal broader implications for other sanctuary policies within New York City.
The announcement comes at a time of significant political tension for Adams. Just three days earlier, it was reported that the Trump administration had moved to drop corruption charges against Adams, which the U.S. Department of Justice brought during the previous administration. These charges created a cloud over Adams’ political future, and the timing of the meeting with Homan raised questions about whether a political bargain was at play. Critics suggest that Adams’ agreement to cooperate with ICE may be part of a larger deal in which he receives political protection in exchange for his assistance in enforcing stricter immigration policies.
Reactions from Advocacy Groups
The proposed rollback of sanctuary policies has faced sharp criticism from immigrant rights groups. Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, was vocal in condemning Adams’ decision. Awawdeh stated, “Eric Adams has no integrity. He is purposely obfuscating ICE’s mandate at Rikers Island to do an end-run around our local laws. By doing so, he just made himself complicit with the Trump administration’s detention-to-deportation pipeline in exchange for a Department of Justice promise to squash the five-count federal corruption charges against him. This is a deal made with the devil to try to roll back our city’s long-standing sanctuary laws and policies – policies that allow all New Yorkers to live freely while improving everyone’s public safety. History will not look kindly on his betrayal of our communities, shared values, and commitment to due process. We will fight this legally dubious action with the full force of our people power and with the elected officials in New York City who actually strive to govern.”
Awawdeh’s remarks underscore the sense of betrayal felt by many in the immigrant community, as the rollback of sanctuary policies is seen as a direct threat to the safety and well-being of undocumented individuals in New York City. Some view the move to allow ICE back into Rikers Island as a betrayal of the values that have long defined the city’s stance on immigration.
Related News: Immigrant Advocates Call on City Workforce in Adams Administration Not to Collude with ICE
New York, NY—In recent days, Mayor Eric Adams has moved to circumvent New York City’s sanctuary laws and policies. This came as the Trump administration sought to abandon Adams’ sweeping federal corruption case, which the Department of Justice argued “has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior Administration.”
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Today, New Yorkers find ourselves at another crossroads. Four of our City’s Deputy Mayors resigned because of how compromised the Mayor is, in light of his recent actions in collusion with the Trump administration.
At a time when New Yorkers cannot rely on their Mayor to follow the law, others in the Adams administration must step up. Mayor Adams may view his own participation in Trump’s mass deportation agenda as a get out of jail free card, but the actions he will be directing his subordinates to take to collude with ICE are both legally dubious and morally corrupt. We are calling on all remaining Deputy Mayors, City agency commissioners and City workers within the Adams administration to not comply with any orders to collaborate with ICE from this Mayor, who remains compromised in his ability to put the needs and the safety of New Yorkers ahead of his own.
Despite what feels like a never-ending bad movie at City Hall, New York City’s workforce has continued to deliver for everyone who calls this city home. We commend you for your work in keeping the government running through a time when there is no effective leadership from the Mayor.”
Council Member Cabán Responds to Mayor Adams’ on Fox & Friends with Family Separation and Deportation Czar Tom Homan
In response to Mayor Eric Adams appearing on Fox & Friends alongside Trump’s Family Separation and Deportation Czar Tom Homan, New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán released the following statement:
“Our Mayor’s willingness to bend the knee on live television during a Fox & Friends segment with Trump’s Deportation Czar Tom Homan was a historic public humiliation for the City of New York.
It is clear as day: the Mayor is compromised. He has chosen self-preservation over the safety of New Yorkers.
Our city should be a safe haven for our neighbors, not a political playground for Trump’s cronies. We cannot allow Trump and his lackeys to install themselves in our city’s halls of power.
Mayor Eric Adams must be removed. It is past time for Governor Hochul to take swift action and use her executive power under the New York City Charter to remove Eric Adams from office. If the Governor fails to take action, the city’s Committee on Mayoral Inability must step up immediately.
Enough is enough. New Yorkers should not be forced to endure the danger, humiliation, and instability wrought by the Adams Administration for one more day.”
Cabán’s response underscores the widespread frustration many New Yorkers feel, particularly those who support immigrant rights and the city’s progressive values. The alliance between Adams and Trump administration officials, such as Homan, has further intensified the backlash, leading many to question whether the mayor can continue to represent the diverse and inclusive vision that the city is known for.
Legal and Political Challenges
The decision to cooperate with ICE also faces significant legal challenges. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, a staunch defender of the city’s sanctuary policies, expressed her concerns about the legality of the mayor’s actions. She stated, “The mayor has no legal authority to suspend the law by executive order. He can issue orders, including emergency orders, but whether it’s legal is a wholly different question, and that’s something that would, again, be another bridge to cross if we get to that.” This raises critical questions about whether Mayor Adams has the legal authority to override laws passed by the City Council, which have protected immigrant communities for years.
Moreover, the political implications for Adams could be severe. As House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pointed out, the mayor’s decision to cooperate with ICE puts him in a precarious position, potentially exposing him to greater influence from the White House. “It is the intention of the Trump administration to keep the mayor on a short leash,” Jeffries said. “How the mayor responds to the White House’s intentions is gonna determine a lot about the political future of the current mayor of the City of New York.”
Adams’ decision could have far-reaching effects on his political future, as it may alienate the city’s progressive base, which has long supported sanctuary policies. The fallout from this move could result in a significant loss of support among immigrant communities, an essential voting bloc in the city. Whether Adams can navigate this controversy and maintain his political standing remains to be seen.
Responding to criticism and calls for his resignation, Adams on Friday, February 14, 2025 released the following statement: “I want to be crystal clear with New Yorkers: I never offered — nor did anyone offer on my behalf — any trade of my authority as your mayor for an end to my case. Never. I am solely beholden to the 8.3 million New Yorkers that I represent and I will always put this city first. Now, we must put this difficult episode behind us so that trust can be restored, New York can move forward, and we can continue delivering for the people of this city.”
The Future of Sanctuary Cities
As the political and legal battle over sanctuary policies intensifies, the future of sanctuary cities remains uncertain. The decision to allow ICE back onto Rikers Island is part of a broader national conversation about immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in protecting undocumented individuals. As cities across the United States grapple with the pressures of federal immigration policies, New York City’s shift away from its sanctuary stance may signal a broader trend in which local jurisdictions are forced to reconcile their values with the realities of federal immigration enforcement.
The fight over sanctuary policies in New York City is far from over. Immigrant rights groups have vowed to challenge the mayor’s decision in court, and the political fallout for Adams is likely to intensify as the public and political leaders continue to debate the future of sanctuary cities in America.
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