The White House Border Affairs Director, Tom Homan, announced on Tuesday (November 18) that he plans to enhance immigration enforcement by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City. In October of this year, ICE agents conducted a raid on street vendors in Manhattan’s Chinatown, leading to multiple arrests and garnering widespread attention.
Homan revealed on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” that he intends to visit New York City in the near future to initiate strengthened enforcement operations. He stated, “We will increase law enforcement presence in New York City. The reason being that New York is a sanctuary city where daily public safety threats exist on the streets.”
The specific timing for the enforcement enhancement was not disclosed by Homan. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified enforcement in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., emphasizing that these actions focus on combating crime.
A spokesperson for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Dora Pekec, stated in an email, “New York City is home to over 3 million immigrants who are the core of the city’s strength, vibrancy, and success. The Mayor-elect has pledged to protect the rights and dignity of every New Yorker while upholding the city’s sanctuary policies.”
Jess D’Amelia, a spokesperson for New York Governor Hochul, mentioned that the state government will collaborate with local and federal law enforcement agencies to enforce laws and ensure the safety of New York City residents. However, she also emphasized, “The state government neither needs nor welcomes federal intervention.”
New York City is the most populous city in the United States. Last week, discussions between Hochul and Mamdani regarding the possibility of increased ICE presence in New York were held. According to meeting minutes, both parties agreed that such deployment actions would not enhance public safety.
A spokesperson for New York City Mayor Eric Adams has not yet commented on the matter.
Reports from New York media last week revealed that Washington is exploring the potential use of a Coast Guard facility on Staten Island in New York City to house undocumented immigrants.
As ICE announced an expansion of enforcement operations in New York City, plans to reopen the ICE office on Rikers Island remain pending.
Previously, ICE had an office on Rikers Island, but it was closed following the enactment of the “Sanctuary City Law” by the City Council in 2014, which prohibited ICE from establishing offices there.
Speaking on this matter on Tuesday, Homan stated, “I reached an agreement with Mayor Adams to allow ICE access to Rikers Island to maintain public safety while ensuring the security and order of the facility, but the City Council halted this plan.”
In February, Mayor Adams signed an executive order allowing ICE to relocate their office to Rikers Island to assist in combating violent crimes and gang activities. However, the City Council subsequently took legal action, alleging that allowing agents onto Rikers Island could violate civil rights.
A federal judge ruled to halt the reopening of the ICE office, which has been pending for several months. Mayor Adams has expressed intent to appeal the decision.
(Adapted from reports by Fox New York News and Reuters)