NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams’ office is finalizing new guidance for city employees on how to handle potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, sparking concern among immigrant rights groups, parents, and school officials.
The new guidance comes as attendance at some schools serving immigrant communities has dropped, and anxiety rises among families fearing deportation raids.
ICE Activity Creates Tension in Schools
In January, ICE agents detained individuals in the Bronx, creating widespread fear among immigrant communities. Assemblyman Landon Dais, whose district includes large West African and Dominican populations, said this fear is directly affecting school attendance.
“There’s a good amount of migrant kids in my district,” Dais said. “This has been a unifying issue, not just for public schools but also for charter and religious schools.”
In response, immigrant rights organizations, such as La Colmena on Staten Island, are hosting info sessions to help families prepare for the worst, including securing power of attorney for their children in case of deportation.
Mayor’s Memo and Backlash
A memo sent by Mayor Adams to city agencies—first obtained by CBS News New York—advises city employees to take several steps if ICE agents attempt to enter city buildings, including:
- Asking for the name and badge number of the officer
- Requesting to see a warrant or subpoena
- Contacting the agency’s legal counsel
However, some immigration advocates say the memo doesn’t go far enough in protecting vulnerable communities.
Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said, “Instead of the mayor stepping up and defending New Yorkers and city workers, he’s giving ICE a roadmap on how to access schools and other places where immigrants feel safe.”
NYC Schools Take a Firm Stand
In a video message, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos reassured parents that non-local law enforcement, including ICE, is not allowed in schools without a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances.
“Our policies have not changed,” Aviles-Ramos said, adding that school safety remains a priority.
The city’s Panel for Educational Policy passed a unanimous resolution in January, making it clear that schools do not consent to granting ICE access to school facilities, students, or student records without proper legal documentation.
Naveed Hasan, a member of the Panel for Educational Policy, emphasized the need for reassurance among parents and students. “They need to know they’ll be reunited at the end of the school day,” he said.
Concerns About City Employees and Safety
A City Hall spokesperson clarified that while city employees are expected to cooperate with law enforcement, they should not put themselves or others at risk.
However, critics argue that the guidance puts workers in harm’s way by potentially increasing aggressive encounters with ICE agents.
“This guidance actually directs immigration enforcement to become more aggressive,” Awawdeh said.
As city agencies await the release of updated guidance on how to handle ICE encounters at schools, hospitals, and municipal buildings, the debate over immigration enforcement and public safety continues.
