Testimony Regarding Oversight of New York City’s Detainer Laws and Related Legislation

Mayor Adams has invoked New York’s status as a “sanctuary city” while in the same breath speaking of excluding new arrivals from legally enshrined right to shelter. If New York City is to live up to its claim to be a welcoming city for immigrants, it must finally close the loopholes in its detainer laws that enable ongoing collusion with immigration authorities. Intros. 184 and 185 would take an important step in this direction. These bills would significantly narrow the circumstances under which city law enforcement can collaborate with ICE.

We urge the City Council to move quickly in passing legislation to fill the holes in the city’s detainer laws, continue its oversight of the implementation of those laws, and work with advocates on further legislation to protect the rights of immigrant New Yorkers.