Adams to testify on NYC's sanctuary city status, ICE raids

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is being called to testify before Congress on March 5, regarding immigration policies. 

Letters were sent to the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City, as all four cities have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions. He says these are "sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement."

In a statement announcing the investigation, Comer said, "the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States and their impact on public safety and the effectiveness of federal efforts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States."

Adams has confirmed to FOX 5 NY he will testify in Washington, D.C. on sanctuary cities. 

His team wrote "Mayor Adams has been clear that New York City is committed to working with our federal partners to fix our broken immigration system and focus on the small number of people who are entering our localities and committing violent crimes. We have been in communication with the Congressional Oversight Committee on their questions around immigration enforcement, and we look forward to speaking with them on March 5."

What is a sanctuary city?

Why you should care:

According to the city's Immigrant Affairs office, New York City is a "sanctuary city" with laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, these laws do not prevent deportations from occurring in the city.

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It remains unclear what specific questions Adams will face during the hearing or whether he will show, but it comes amid a federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the city.

He added that Congress must assess "whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety."

Adams says he ‘directed NYPD to coordinate with DHS’

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posts video of NYC immigration raid

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was in New York City on Tuesday morning, announcing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant facing several charges.

On Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was in New York City on Tuesday morning, announcing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant facing several charges.

Video showed the apparent immigration enforcement operation in the Highbridge section of the Bronx.

In a statement, Adams said he "directed the NYPD to coordinate with DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations and other federal law enforcement agencies — as allowed by law — to conduct a targeted operation to arrest an individual connected with multiple violent crimes."

Where does Adams stand on Trump's mass deportation plan?

What they're saying:

Adams has faced criticism after he accused the Democratic Party of abandoning New Yorkers and claimed the Biden administration urged him to stay silent about the city's migrant crisis in an hour-long interview with Tucker Carlson. Despite criticisms, Adams has continued to reaffirm that he is cooperating with federal agencies.

"We already have task forces with our federal partner," Adams said, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for violent crimes. "People who commit violent crimes must be held accountable. We should be sending a strong message about consequences for those who break the law."

Adams also pointed out that immigration policy falls under federal jurisdiction, adding that the city is working to address its own challenges. Amid the ongoing federal crackdown, New York City has begun shutting down emergency migrant shelters, citing a decrease in the number of asylum seekers in city shelters.

Eric Adams (C), mayor of New York, attends the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump will sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by ALEXANDER DRAGO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXAND

Adams, who attended President Donald Trump's inauguration, has stated he would not assist the federal government with deportations. However, he revealed on Tuesday that conversations with ICE are ongoing.

Many of the ICE actions were not unusual. ICE averaged 311 daily arrests in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

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