In a recent development that has stirred controversy among immigration advocates and city employees alike, New York City has issued new guidelines that potentially allow federal immigration agents greater access to city properties, including migrant shelters, schools, and hospitals. The instructions, outlined in a memo distributed by City Hall lawyers, mark a shift in the stance of the city, whose officials have been treading a line between maintaining its sanctuary city status and cooperating with federal law enforcement under the pressure of the Trump administration.
The guidance advises city workers to request identification and a warrant from federal officers; however, if employees feel "threatened" or fear for their safety, they are permitted to comply with the officers' requests, as per The New York Times. Deputy Mayor Camille Joseph Varlack, in explaining the city's position, emphasized wanting to avoid altercations between city workers and federal law enforcement, stating, "We do not want city workers getting into physical altercations in any way with any nonlocal law enforcement officer."
The response to the city's memo has been divided, with some union leaders and legal service providers criticizing the policy as confusing and overly discretionary, creating potential risks for both city employees and the immigrant communities that rely on these city services. In particular, the executive director of District Council 37, Henry Garrido described the situation as "really difficult when you don’t have clear and transparent guidance as to how to handle ICE coming into the city and the agencies," according to an interview with ABC7NY.
Amidst the legal and moral quandaries this memo presents, recent ICE raids have continued to target undocumented immigrants in New York City, with reported arrests numbering around 100 since their inception, as shared by Frank Tarentino, the New York office of the Drug Enforcement Administration's special agent in charge, in a statement obtained by The New York Times. Tarentino elaborated that while the focus is on "the most violent" undocumented immigrants, there have inevitably been "collateral" arrests of those found in proximity to the raids.
