Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's "Border Czar," announced plans to significantly increase the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New York City. This declaration, made recently, comes in direct response to the New York City Council's successful efforts to block federal authorities from establishing an office on Rikers Island. Homan stated, "We’re gonna flood the zone" with ICE agents and "We’re gonna put more agents in New York City."
The contentious issue stems from Mayor Eric Adams' earlier attempts to allow ICE to re-establish an office within the Rikers Island jail complex. This move was intended to facilitate cooperation on criminal investigations, particularly targeting violent gangs. ICE previously had a presence on Rikers Island until 2014, when it was effectively banned under New York City's sanctuary city laws enacted during the Bill de Blasio administration.
The City Council filed a lawsuit to prevent the re-opening, leading to a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Mary Rosado. The judge cited concerns about a potential "quid pro quo" arrangement, suggesting Mayor Adams' agreement to allow ICE back might be linked to the dismissal of corruption charges against him. This legal block has been a significant setback for the Adams administration's efforts to collaborate with federal immigration authorities on this matter.
Homan sharply criticized the City Council's decision, arguing it compromises public safety by preventing ICE from accessing individuals detained on Rikers Island. He emphasized that preventing ICE from arresting "bad guys in the safety and security of a jail" pushes enforcement into the streets, making it "unsafe for the alien." Homan, along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, pledged that "sanctuary cities get exactly what they don’t want, more agents in the community and more agents in the worksite."
The escalated federal enforcement signals a heightened clash between the Trump administration's immigration policies and New York City's sanctuary status. While the Rikers office remains blocked, federal and local authorities have previously demonstrated cooperation on other fronts, such as joint operations leading to indictments of alleged gang members. The increased ICE presence is expected to intensify the debate over immigration enforcement within the city.