New York City’s sanctuary laws, which restrict local police from cooperating with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are hindering the rapid deportation of suspected criminal migrants, according to immigration experts. The city’s refusal to contact ICE or honor detainers issued by the federal agency has raised concerns about public safety, particularly in light of recent high-profile incidents involving migrant crime.
An ICE official revealed that the sanctuary city laws are contributing to the surge in crime, citing the NYPD’s reluctance to collaborate with immigration authorities. The official stated that ICE has no knowledge of many cases due to the city’s restrictions, which also prevent the agency’s officers from entering shelters to make arrests.
While ICE can initiate the removal process swiftly after a conviction, experts explain that the agency is selective in its pursuit of migrants. For minor offenses like shoplifting, ICE typically waits for the legal system to take action. This approach is partly due to logistical challenges, as detaining all individuals subject to removal proceedings would burden local prosecutors and strain resources.
Two specific sanctuary laws have sparked controversy. One prevents the city from honoring ICE’s requests to hold individuals for potential deportation unless they have been convicted of specific violent offenses and a judge has issued a removal warrant. The other prohibits the use of city resources to aid immigration enforcement.
Even if ICE were able to apprehend suspects, deporting them to countries like Venezuela poses additional difficulties. The Venezuelan government refuses to accept deportation flights, leaving criminals who entered the country illegally without a deterrent.
ICE reviews each case individually to determine enforcement priorities, considering factors such as the severity of the crime and the suspect’s legal status. However, limited bed space often leads to the release of lower-level offenders to make room for higher-priority cases.
Critics argue that migrants accused of crimes should have their day in court before facing deportation. They emphasize the importance of enforcing existing laws and holding criminals accountable to deter further offenses.
New York City’s sanctuary laws have been in place for decades but expanded significantly in recent years. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio further strengthened these protections in 2014, effectively preventing the NYPD and Department of Correction from honoring ICE’s detainer requests. Despite these restrictions, ICE continues to operate independently in the city and made 9,229 arrests last year, with the majority of individuals having violated immigration laws rather than committed additional crimes.
