In anticipation of an impending storm of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) and City Council Members Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) and Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) joined a bevy of legal service providers and activists last Saturday to protest.
Last week, the ICE announced that they would be conducting a series of raids to round up undocumented immigrants in major American cities, such as New York, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The raids are part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing “zero-tolerance” policy in regards to illegal immigration.
Johnson and his colleagues gathered at the East Cost Memorial in Battery Park City to denounce the measure and inform the public about what they should do if their home is raided.
“These are dark times for our country, and I want to tell all those who are living in fear right now because of the actions of the Trump administration: your city and I have your back,” said Johnson. “Today, we gathered in front of the Statue of Liberty to inform our friends and neighbors of their legal rights if they are approached by ICE. I have a hope for a different future, and I intend for New York City to continue to set an example of how to stand up to hatred and divisive policies. This New York City Council will continue to speak out for and give voice to our immigrant New Yorkers.”
Carlina Rivera said that the announcement further reinforced her belief in abolishing the ICE entirely.
“ICE’s nationwide raids are yet another effort by the Trump administration to terrorize our immigrant communities, and just another reason why we need to abolish ICE and replace it with a humane immigration system that treats every person with dignity and respect,” said Rivera. But we will not sit by silently in New York City. We will continue to make sure all New Yorkers have access to immigration legal services and that they know what their rights are if ICE approaches them.”
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi took the time to remind those in attendance of the rights and protections that they’re constitutionally entitled to, should the ICE show up at their door.
“In the face of heartless raids that would tear families apart, we remain steadfast in our commitment to defend immigrant communities,” said Mostofi. “It is critically important for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, to know that you have rights and protections under the law if you are approached by federal immigration enforcement in your home, on the street, or in public. To learn more, visit nyc.gov/KnowYourRights. New York City—your City—has your back and offers free and safe immigration legal help through ActionNYC. You can call 311 and say ‘ActionNYC’ to connect with a trusted immigration legal service provider,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi.
