Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams called for passage of the New York For All Act, which would strengthen protections for New Yorkers against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), at a New York City Council Joint Hearing of the Committees on Criminal Justice and Immigration on Wednesday. He and Council Member Carlos Menchaca sponsor a city resolution in support of passage of the state legislation.
"Despite New York City's status as a Sanctuary City for immigrant residents, City and State law enforcement agencies have furthered ICE's cruel and xenophobic agenda." said Public Advocate Williams in support of his resolution."By needlessly inquiring about residents' immigration status, sharing information with ICE, and directly collaborating with ICE operations, these agencies have funneled New Yorkers into ICE detention and deportation."
"These practices break up families and communities, put the health and safety of immigrant New Yorkers at risk, and run contrary to our values as a City. They must end now....If passed at the state level in tandem with the important introductions that are being heard on the City level today, the New York for All Act would create real protections against the ICE deportation machine."
Read the full statement as delivered by the Public Advocate below, and watch the full hearing here. TESTIMONY OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS TO THE COMMITTEES ON IMMIGRATION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ON RES. 1648 JUNE 9, 2021 Good morning, my name is Jumaane Williams, and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I want to thank Chairs Carlos Menchaca and Keith Powers and the Committees on Immigration and Criminal Justice for holding this important hearing on New York City detainer laws and for including my Office's Res. 1648 as part of the agenda.
Despite New York City's status as a Sanctuary City for immigrant residents, City and State law enforcement agencies have furthered ICE's cruel and xenophobic agenda. By needlessly inquiring about residents' immigration status, sharing information with ICE, and directly collaborating with ICE operations, these agencies have funneled New Yorkers into ICE detention and deportation. These practices break up families and communities, put the health and safety of immigrant New Yorkers at risk, and run contrary to our values as a City. They must end now.
Res. 1648 calls on the State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign the New York for All Act, A2328A (Reyes) / S3076A (Salazar), which would take important steps to ending the municipal and State pipelines to ICE custody through four key provisions.
First, it would prohibit state and local officers, including law enforcement and corrections officials, from enforcing federal immigration laws and inquiring about immigration status. This will ensure that our state and local agencies do not act outside of their governmental jurisdictions. Second, it would remove language in State law that requires information sharing between State and City agencies with immigration enforcement and limit ICE's access to State informational databases. Third, it would require people in custody to be given notice of their rights before being interviewed by ICE. Fourth, it would prohibit ICE from entering non-public areas of State or local property without a judicial warrant.
If passed at the state level in tandem with the important introductions that are being heard on the City level today, the New York for All act would create real protections against the ICE deportation machine. I urge members of the Committee to move this resolution. Thank you for your time and consideration.