Good morning, Chair Avilés, and thank you for holding this important hearing today. I am here representing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
President Trump’s attacks on immigrant communities present an ongoing threat to so many across our city. In a time where masked ICE agents are snatching and separating children away from their parents and arresting law-abiding immigrants at mandated court appearances, it is more important than ever to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. As ICE agents feel emboldened to terrorize immigrants with impunity, this city has a responsibility ensure that New York remains a sanctuary for all who call it home, regardless of immigration status. Borough President Reynoso has made it clear that ICE is not welcome in Brooklyn. That is why he supports all the bills being heard on today’s agenda:
Intro 214 (NYC Trust Act): We refer to NYC as a sanctuary city based not on some abstract concept, but on the law. NYC law limits DOC and NYPD from honoring detainer requests from ICE outside of very specific situations, limits ICE’s access to City property, prohibits use of City time for immigration enforcement, and limits information that City employees can share with ICE. Yet, collusion between ICE and the NYPD and DOC persists, with everyone from NYPD top brass to Mayor Adams having called for an end to our sanctuary policies. As ICE raids become more frequent, those of us who believe in protecting our neighbors are called upon to defend and strengthen our sanctuary laws. The Council can do this by passing Intro 214, which will create a private right of action so that those impacted by illegal collusion between officers and ICE can seek redress in court.
Intro 1412: Another way we can prevent collusion between officers and ICE is to ensure that ICE is never allowed to establish an office on any DOC property, including and especially the Rikers Island jail. Borough President Reynoso commends the Council for challenging Mayor Adams’ recent attempt to return ICE to Rikers more than a decade after they vacated their office there, and for introducing this important legislation to clarify that they cannot and will not be allowed to come back.
Intro 1272: This bill will prevent NYC employers from using the federal E-Verify system to verify employment eligibility. President Trump wants to make this system mandatory. Not only would that give the federal government a concerning amount of power over workers, evidence shows that the system just doesn’t work, wrongly shutting out thousands of eligible workers every year. This proactive bill will help ensure that New Yorkers’ personal information is protected and they are not put at risk of having their livelihoods impacted by a faulty system.
Intro 1268: Informing New Yorkers of their legal protections in public and private areas will empower them to invoke their legal rights without fear of overreach by federal authorities. Too often those who are unaware of their individual rights fall victim to intimidation tactics and unlawful detention. This bill would close this gap by mandating widespread public notices of legal protections and therefore ensuring that every New Yorker is aware of their rights when confronted by federal immigration enforcement.
Thank you again for holding this important hearing. We must ensure that as President Trump ramps up his anti-immigration agenda, our city remains as the cornerstone of hope and safety for vulnerable communities under attack. This requires action at all levels – from folks on the ground who have put themselves on the line to stop raids, to local, state, and federal governments. Borough President Reynoso urges the Council to move quickly to pass these bills before the end of the term. Let’s continue to work together to protect our immigrant neighbors. Thank you.
