New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday that his administration has been collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address the deportation of illegal criminal migrants. Despite the city's sanctuary city laws, Adams, a Democrat, emphasized that migrants who commit violent crimes in the city will be handled by federal agencies.
Adams stated that there are existing task forces with federal partners to facilitate this coordination, highlighting the importance of addressing individuals who engage in violent criminal activities. The mayor reiterated his stance on prioritizing public safety and enforcing the law.
Under the Biden administration, New York City has seen a significant increase in illegal immigration, with over 225,000 migrants arriving since 2022. This surge has been accompanied by a rise in migrant-related crime, including the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in the city.
During Monday's inauguration, President Trump pledged to combat illegal immigration and deport criminal aliens. Mayor Adams affirmed that the New York Police Department (NYPD) will not face restrictions in collaborating with ICE for deportation efforts.
ICE has initiated the deportation process for certain migrants, focusing on public safety threats. Trump recently declared a national border emergency and signed executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration, including reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and deploying U.S. troops to the border.
Additionally, international cartels like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) by President Trump. He also signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.