NEW FILING: On Behalf of Immigrant Social Services Orgs and Churches, the NYCLU Moves to Intervene in DOJ Lawsuit to Defend Rochester’s Sanctuary Laws

Trump admin is attempting to conscript Rochester’s police officers into its mass deportation effort in violation of decades-old city sanctuary laws

ROCHESTER, NY – Today, on behalf of Rochester the Ibero-American Action League Inc. (Ibero), the Third Presbyterian Church, Western NY Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies, and New Hope Free Methodist Church, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) filed a motion to intervene in the Western District of New York (United States v. City of Rochester), and joined the City of Rochester in asking the Court to dismiss the Trump administration’s attempt to strike down decades-old sanctuary policies so that it can force Rochester’s police officers to carry out federal immigration enforcement. 

“Rochester law enforcement has zero legal obligation to do ICE’s bidding — it’s unconstitutional for Trump to coerce them into participating in Trump’s lawless terrorizing of immigrant communities,” said Amy Belsher, Director of Immigrants’ Rights Litigation at the NYCLU. “The Tenth Amendment prohibits the federal government from forcing cities like Rochester into carrying out federal immigration enforcement. All cities have the right to deploy local resources as they see fit. Rochesterians have rightfully decided their city is safer when people are not afraid to call the police. The law is clear: the Trump administration cannot hijack local police officers for their cruel, anti-immigrant agenda.” 

The NYCLU moves to intervene in the case on behalf of organizations and religious institutions who rely on Rochester’s sanctuary policies. These groups join the City of Rochester in arguing that the Trump Administration’s lawsuit is baseless. Rochester’s long-standing sanctuary policies do not conflict with federal law and it is unconstitutional for the Trump administration to commandeer the Rochester police department to perform civil immigration enforcement. 

“Trump’s attempt to deputize local Rochester police officers as ICE agents would do nothing to make our community safer – in reality, it would rip families apart, put people in danger, and divert local officers’ focus from their actual jobs,” said Shay Herbert, an organizer in Rochester for the NYCLU. “Our community’s sanctuary policies have been around since 1986 for a reason: they’ve improved public safety, integrated immigrants into our neighborhoods, bolstered our economy, and made it easier for people to access critical resources. This is about fear, not safety or prosperity. The community of Rochester won’t stand by as Trump flings baseless attacks on our beloved immigrant communities.”

“For 57 years, Ibero has stood with Latino and underserved communities in Rochester and across Upstate New York,” said Angelica Perez-Delgado, President and CEO of Ibero. “We cannot stand by while protections that allow our clients to live without fear are threatened. Our mission demands that we lead in moments like this. This is not just a legal decision—it is a moral one. When we welcomed over 1,300 individuals to regions we serve—many of whom are children of asylum seekers—we made a promise to protect and support them. Defending the sanctuary laws is part of keeping that promise.”

“Third Presbyterian Church is a Matthew 25 congregation, which means we are committed to a scriptural call that includes feeding those who are hungry and welcoming those from other places and lands,” said Reverend Rebecca Segers, Pastor and Head of Staff at Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. “This is a clear directive from Jesus Christ to care for those in need, which we take seriously both through our ministries and in welcoming all people into worship. We strongly support Rochester and its sanctuary city policy as it enables and supports these activities which are foundational to our Christian identity.”

“The Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies empowers migrant and farmworker communities by connecting them with the resources they need,” said Irene Sanchez, Executive Director and co-Founder of the Coalition. “We will not stand by as the Trump Administration attacks Rochester’s sanctuary laws, which are rooted in common sense and basic human rights. Our staff rely on these long-standing policies to build trust with migrants and farmworkers, whether we’re helping them navigate the legal system or access critical services. Our clients love their neighbors, their schools and even the weather, and they contribute daily to the culture, economy, and strength of our communities. Without sanctuary laws, our clients are at increased risk of aggressive racial profiling, detention, and even deportation; threatening to tear apart mixed-status families and undo years of trust we’ve built within these communities. Migrants and farmworkers are essential to Rochester’s success, and the city’s sanctuary policies are critical to making our work possible. We cannot and will not let the administration’s threats go unchallenged.”

“The Free Methodist Church (FMC) believes in the biblical truths that all people are made in the image of God and that God invites His church to welcome the stranger as a witness to His love,” said Rev. Marissa Mattox Heffernan, Rev. Scott Sittig, and Rev. Dr. Earlando Thomas, Co-lead Pastors of New Hope Free Methodist Church. “New Hope FMC supports the City of Rochester’s principled commitment to these values through the status and associated policies of being a Sanctuary City. We are committed to partnering with the City in its defense of being a Sanctuary City to promote the dignity, safety, and well-being of all immigrants to our community and ensure they have the legal protections and social support needed to navigate their path to citizenship.”

On March 24, local officers violated city law by assisting federal immigration enforcement agents in detaining three people during a traffic stop — drawing sharp criticism from Rochester elected officials, who said the officers’ actions violated Rochester’s sanctuary policy. Shortly after, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the City of Rochester over its sanctuary policies. Border Czar Tom Homan visited Rochester on the following day to attack the local laws. 

Sanctuary laws help immigrants live their lives safely and freely – whether that’s going to the grocery store, reporting crimes, seeking medical care, or taking their kids to school – without fear of deportation. These laws make communities safer and more prosperous: analysis shows that counties that restrict interaction with ICE have lower crime rates, as well as higher median household incomes, lower unemployment, and lower poverty. Keeping federal immigration authorities out of local operations doesn’t just benefit immigrants – it benefits everyone. 

Case materials can be found here. 

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