On November 14, 2014, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Introductions 486-A and 487-A into law. These bills serve the dual purpose of limiting New York City’s cooperation with overbroad federal immigration enforcement practices unless there is a public safety concern, and also ends the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Riker’s Island and other City facilities.
New York City will no longer cooperate with federal detainer requests, unless those individuals in question have been convicted of a violent crime or serious felony. Mass deportation of individuals have not only torn apart thousands of families within the city, but has also penalized immigrant families who rely on these individuals for financial and emotional support. With so many immigrants contributing to the growth of the United States that are not a threat to public safety, this bill allows law-abiding residents of New York City to breathe a sigh of relief.
Additionally, the law will prevent immigrants that have not been convicted of a violent or serious felony from additionally facing civil immigration penalties as a result of their arrest.
The goal of these Introductions is to encourage immigrants that do not threaten the public safety of New York City to integrate with their communities instead of separating. The Mayor and his office are seeking this as one way of sending a message to Washington, D.C. that the civil rights of all New York City residents will be upheld.
While the goal of these laws is to encourage immigration to New York City while upholding the importance of public safety, the Department of Correction is still authorized to work with ICE when criminal activity is a concern.If you or a loved one have been arrested and are concerned about the involvement of ICE, waste no time in getting a New York City immigration attorney involved.
