Eric Adams expands cooperation with ICE, sidelines NYC sanctuary city protections

Published February 14, 2025 11:41am ET



New York City Mayor Eric Adams is allowing federal immigration authorities into the Big Apple’s largest criminal detention center to facilitate the Trump administration’s deportation effort. 

Adams issued an executive order Thursday authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to access the Rikers Island jail complex after ICE offices in the criminal detention area were closed in 2014. The directive allows ICE agents to transfer illegal immigrants who have committed crimes from state prison to federal custody swiftly. The mayor is also eyeing ways to embed New York City Police Department detectives into federal task forces to target “violent gangs.” 

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