NYC Council files lawsuit against Mayor Adams for permitting ICE on Rikers, alleging improper agreement with Trump administration.

The New York City Council has initiated a legal action against Mayor Eric Adams regarding an executive order that permits federal immigration authorities to operate on Rikers Island. This development highlights ongoing tensions in the city, particularly amid intensified immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that Mayor Adams engaged in an unlawful quid pro quo arrangement with the Trump administration. According to the complaint, Adams allegedly negotiated access to Rikers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in exchange for the dismissal of federal corruption charges against him. Named in the lawsuit alongside Mayor Adams is his first deputy mayor, Randy Mastro. The claim underscores concerns that the mayor’s legal troubles were influencing public safety policies concerning the treatment of undocumented immigrants in the city.

The executive order issued last week by Adams stipulates that ICE would be allowed to conduct criminal investigations at Rikers targeting undocumented individuals accused of serious crimes. However, critics argue that the executive order paves the way for civil immigration enforcement actions, which would be contrary to New York City’s sanctuary laws designed to protect immigrants.

Kayla Mamelak, the mayor’s spokesperson, responded to the lawsuit, asserting its lack of merit and emphasizing the administration’s commitment to public safety. Mamelak contended that the lawsuit contradicts the public interest in protecting New Yorkers from violent crime.

The council’s lawsuit claims that the mayor’s assurances to federal authorities not only compromise the safety of immigrant communities but could also lead to civil enforcement actions, thereby undermining the city’s safety protocols. The involvement of the city’s Department of Corrections is also noted in the legal action.

Council members expressed outrage over the mayor’s decision to allow ICE access to Rikers. They argue that it represents a clear breach of trust and a troubling deviation from the city’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of its immigrant residents. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who has declared her intention to run for mayor, stressed that New York cannot afford its leadership to engage in collusion with the Trump administration.

Moreover, the executive order permits other federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to conduct operations at Rikers, raising further alarm about the potential ramifications for immigrant communities.

The city council’s decision to empower itself to pursue legal action stems from assertions that the executive order is an outgrowth of what they term a “poisonous fruit” deal with the Trump administration. The mayor, who was indicted last September on charges related to bribery and campaign finance violations, has pleaded not guilty. The Justice Department previously sought to have the charges dropped, arguing that they impeded Adams from implementing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

As this legal battle unfolds, it reflects broader national debates on immigration policy, local law enforcement, and the balance of power between city leadership and federal authorities. The implications of the lawsuit could have significant ramifications for immigration practices within New York City and set a precedent for other jurisdictions navigating similar issues.

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