NYC sanctuary city: Protections and questions under the Trump administration
Are Sanctuary cities like NYC under threat?
How will President Trump’s immigration crackdown affect New York City? FOX 5’s Stephanie Bertini takes a deep dive into the uncertain future of NYC’s sanctuary city status as Trump’s new administration moves forward with mass deportation policies and tougher immigration enforcement.
NEW YORK CITY - President Donald Trump’s administration is intensifying its immigration crackdown, directly impacting sanctuary cities like New York. Amid growing fears of mass deportations, faith leaders and local officials are pushing back as raids continue in sanctuary cities nationwide.
What we know:
The city's status as a longtime sanctuary city means that "police officers will not disclose information about a person's immigration status to federal immigration officials unless they are required to do so."
Even recently, an internal memo from Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to the NYPD reminded officers that in New York City, immigration violations are civil matters, not crimes. However, the memo also states that the department will cooperate with federal authorities on criminal investigations.
Are more ICE raids looming for New York City?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made over 20 arrests on Tuesday in parts of Manhattan and the Bronx. Are more raids looming for New York City? FOX 5 NY's Stephanie Bertini has the details.
Trump’s administration has signaled its intent to prioritize deporting undocumented individuals, starting with those who have criminal records.
What they're saying:
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams sought to reassure immigrants about the city’s commitment to its sanctuary status.
"We want to bring down the anxiety. We want our immigration to know that this is a city of immigrants, this is a country of immigrants. It’s imperative that you go to school, use the hospital service, use the police services," Adams said.
However, Adams has been vocal about supporting a rollback of sanctuary laws, recently telling conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that the Biden administration had told him to be a "good Democrat" about the migrant crisis.
Adams claims Biden administration told him to stay silent on migrants
"People often say well, you know, you don't sound like a Democrat, and you know, you seem to have left the party. No, the party left me, and it left working-class people."
New York City is one of several cities and states with sanctuary status. While New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are on the sanctuary list, many states, including Georgia, Florida and Texas, have anti-sanctuary laws.
"The reality is that many sanctuary policies around the country protect immigrants only in name," said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council. "They’re mostly symbolic. They don’t actually prevent local police officers or authorities from transferring immigrants into the hands of federal immigration authorities."
Big picture view:
Across the country, ICE has been conducting raids in sanctuary cities, with operations reported in Boston, Chicago and New York.
In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka condemned a recent ICE raid at a fish market, saying agents entered without a warrant.
ICE raid at Newark, NJ fish market was not part of mass deportation plan: Sources
A source with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tells FOX 5 that Thursday's raid at a fish market in Newark was a routine operation the result of a tip, and not part of President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans.
President Trump’s broader immigration policies include:
- An executive order blocking birthright citizenship.
- Ending refugee admissions.
- Declaring a national emergency at the southern border and deploying 1,500 armed troops.
What's next:
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has launched an investigation into sanctuary policies, with Adams among several officials asked to provide details on New York City’s policies.
Meanwhile, faith leaders and advocacy groups continue to push back against the administration’s immigration stance.
At a press conference at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, faith leaders declared: "We will continue to provide safe spaces for everyone."
As President Trump’s administration advances its immigration agenda, the future of New York City’s sanctuary status – and that of other cities across the country – remains uncertain.
The Source: This article uses information from FOX 5 NY crews in the field.