The tightening of federal immigration enforcement policies has sparked anxiety within some immigrant labor communities. During a roundtable meeting with ethnic minority media at City Hall on Monday (June 23rd), New York City officials reiterated the city’s stance as a “sanctuary city,” emphasizing that regardless of a worker’s immigration status, all workers are entitled to basic rights under New York City’s laws and can seek support from the city government.
Manuel Castro, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), stated that immigrant workers are feeling uneasy due to the current environment, leading them to forgo opportunities to file complaints or seek help, thus falling into a silent cycle of exploitation. He emphasized that New York City remains a sanctuary city, and the local government is responsible for ensuring the workplace safety and basic rights of every worker. Castro mentioned that the city government has multilingual legal and immigrant service hotlines in place, and through outreach activities, immigrants are informed about their rights. He stated, “We do not allow fear to dominate our lives.”
To further educate immigrant workers in various communities about their rights, Vilda Vera Mayuga, the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) in New York City, introduced the “Worker’s Bill of Rights” booklet. The booklet clearly outlines that “if you work in New York City, regardless of your immigration status, you have certain rights” and provides a concise list of statutory protections for workers in different industries, including paid leave, compensation for scheduling changes, minimum wage, rights of delivery workers, language assistance, and guidance on contacting 311 or making complaints. (Keywords like “Fair Workweek Law” and “Delivery Workers”). Link to download the booklet: [https://tinyurl.com/5dz8p9am](https://tinyurl.com/5dz8p9am)
Regarding the recent arrests of immigrants by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in various locations, a flyer issued by MOIA reminds that ICE can enter “public areas” of any workplace without any form of arrest warrant. However, to enter “private areas” such as break rooms or storage spaces, employer permission or a judicial warrant is required.
MOIA advises immigrant workers to avoid physical conflicts with law enforcement officers. Officials stated, “In emergency situations, such as threats to public safety or someone’s life, ICE may enter without your consent. If this happens, remember, you have the right to remain silent.”
New York City is facing extreme heat impacts. Elijah Hutchinson, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), pointed out that heatwaves have become the leading climate-related factor causing deaths in New York City each year, with an estimated 500 deaths annually from heat-induced illnesses.
He announced that the city will set up 10 temporary “cooling stations” in the Bronx and Queens this summer, distributing cooling supplies and providing drinking water, with priority given to day laborers and outdoor workers at high risk, such as delivery workers.
Carlos Saavedra, the Assistant Director of the Construction Safety Enforcement team (CSE) at the Department of Buildings in New York City, provided the latest data during the meeting, indicating that the number of construction site accidents and deaths in 2024 has dropped to the lowest point in the past decade, with injuries reduced by 30% compared to the previous year. He emphasized that all workers must complete safety training and hold a digital safety card, regardless of their immigration status, which should not be a barrier to receiving protection.