New York City Mayor Eric Adams' decision to reintroduce ICE to Rikers Island has sparked outrage among his mayoral challengers and immigrant rights advocates who argue the move undermines the city's sanctuary laws and endangers vulnerable communities.
New York City has long been a sanctuary city, with laws prohibiting city agencies from cooperating with ICE in most circumstances. However, Adams has signaled a shift in policy, aligning himself more closely with President Trump's immigration agenda, City and State New York reported.
On Thursday, Adams announced plans to allow ICE officers to operate within Rikers Island, citing the need to crack down on violent crime and gang activity.
This move follows a recent Department of Justice decision to drop corruption charges against Adams, which fueled speculation about political motives behind his cooperation with the Trump administration.
At a mayoral candidate forum hosted by progressive and labor groups, three challengers—Michael Blake, Zohran Mamdani, and Jessica Ramos—strongly condemned Adams' decision.
All three, either immigrants themselves or children of immigrants, emphasized the need to protect marginalized communities from what they see as an overreach of federal immigration enforcement.
They criticized Adams for prioritizing Trump's policies over the rights of New Yorkers, with Ramos declaring, "Our government is being tested right now."
The City Council is now reviewing the executive order to assess its legality, with many members signaling strong opposition. Meanwhile, immigration arrests have surged nationwide since Trump's return to office, with daily arrests more than doubling compared to last year.
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