ICE returns to Rikers Island for the first time in a decade
ICE office returns to Rikers Island
For the first time in a decade, ICE is returning to Rokers Island following an executive order from New York City First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. The move allows federal immigration officials to open an office inside the jail complex, but only to assist in criminal investigations-not civil immigration enforcement, according to officials. FOX 5's Morgan McKay has the story.
NEW YORK - New York City’s First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro has issued an executive order allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reopen an office on Rikers Island for the first time since 2014.
What we know:
First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro signed an executive order late Tuesday night permitting ICE to immediately return to Rikers Island.
"It’s about gleaning information and then using it in federal criminal investigations to go after the larger criminal enterprise of these transnational violent gangs," Mastro said. "At the end of the day, we’re making New York City safer."
The new policy limits ICE’s role to assisting with criminal investigations. Mastro emphasized that the agency will not be involved in civil immigration enforcement.
"You’re in Rikers serving [a] criminal sentence, you’re going to serve your full sentence," Mastro said.
The backstory:
ICE had maintained an office on Rikers Island until 2014, when then-Mayor Bill de Blasio signed sanctuary city laws that curtailed cooperation between the city’s corrections department and federal immigration officials.
The 2014 laws restricted how much information could be shared with ICE and effectively shut down their operations on Rikers Island.
The other side:
The decision comes amid speculation about political influence. Critics have accused Mayor Eric Adams of caving to pressure from President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan, who has advocated for ICE’s return to Rikers.
Some have gone as far as to suggest that the mayor is working with the Trump administration in hopes of having his own legal issues resolved — a claim Adams has denied.
Adams recused himself from the ICE decision before the executive order was issued.
What's next:
Council leadership says they are reviewing their legal and procedural options in response to the order. Speaker Adrienne Adams confirmed, "We are exploring all options."
It remains to be seen whether legal challenges will be brought against the executive order, or if it will set a precedent for federal involvement on Rikers moving forward.