NYC Judge Blocks Mayor's Plan for ICE Agents at Rikers Island
Court halts negotiations with federal immigration authorities pending lawsuit hearing
A New York judge has temporarily blocked New York City officials from proceeding with plans to allow federal immigration agents to operate within the Rikers Island jail complex. Judge Mary Rosado issued a written order on Monday prohibiting the city from negotiating or implementing any agreement with the federal government until an April 25 hearing. The order comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the New York City Council against Mayor Eric Adams challenging his recent executive order on the matter.
The lawsuit alleges that Adams entered into an improper arrangement with the Trump administration in exchange for the Justice Department dropping criminal charges against him. Mayor Adams has consistently denied these allegations, stating that no deal was made regarding his criminal case. His administration maintains that federal agencies would assist with gang and drug investigations at the facility but would not be involved in civil immigration enforcement activities.
KEY POINTS
- •Judge halts NYC-ICE jail agreement
- •Mayor denies deal with Trump admin
- •NYC Council sues over executive order
In response to the controversy, Adams previously announced that his first deputy mayor, Randy Mastro, would oversee all decision-making related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's return to Rikers Island. This delegation of authority was intended to prevent any appearance of conflict of interest in the matter. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that the city would not execute any agreement with the federal government before the scheduled hearing.
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