Caribbean immigration advocates in New York are celebrating what they describe as a significant victory for justice and immigrant protections after a New York State Supreme Court judge barred the city from allowing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office at Rikers Island.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the New York City Council against Mayor Eric Adams, challenging Executive Order 50, which would have opened the door for ICE to operate from within the city’s notorious correctional facility. Critics said the move posed a dangerous threat to immigrant communities, including thousands of Caribbean nationals.
The lawsuit, filed on April 15, sought to stop the mayor’s plan on the grounds that it violated existing city laws and risked undermining constitutional protections. On Friday, Justice Mary Rosado granted a preliminary injunction, halting any steps toward implementation of the order.
Murad Awawdch, head of the New York Immigration Coalition, praised the court’s decision, calling it a win for New Yorkers and immigrant families. “Justice prevailed in New York City today,” he said. “This ruling blocks one more attack on our immigrant neighbours. People shouldn’t face deportation just because they’ve been accused-not even convicted—of a crime.”
Awawdeh also highlighted the city’s longstanding legal barrier o such cooperation with federal immigration authorities, referencing Local Law 58 passed in 2014, which explicitly restricts ICE from operating on Kinus.
“Our laws are clear. The city should not be part of Trump-cra mass deportation tactics,” he said.
The controversial executive order, signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro on April 8, quickly drew criticism not just from advocacy groups but also from the City Council itself. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is running for mayor, strongly denounced the mayor’s actions, linking them to what she described as political interference in a federal corruption case against Mayor Adams.
“This is a naked attempt by Mayor Adams to fulfill a corrupt bargain for leniency in his federal case,” said Speaker Adams, no relation to the mayor. “Letting ICE set up shop at Rikers would endanger our communities and trample our rights.
The court has now rejected this dangerous move three times.”
The City Council’s lawsuit argues the executive order was not only illegal but motivated by a conflict of interest. It points to a suspicious timeline: on the same day the Trump administration’s Department of Justice moved to dismiss a corruption case against Mayor Adams, he reportedly met with Trump’s former immigration chief and discussed opening the ICE office.
Federal Judge Dale Ho, who is presiding over the federal casc, noted that the circumstances “smack of a bargain” suggesting the dismissal of the indictment may have been exchanged for the mayor’s cooperation on immigration enforcement.
The ruling is being hailed as a reaffirmation of the city’s immigrant-friendly laws and values. Advocates warn, however, that the fight isn’t over. “We will keep pushing to ensure every New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status can live without fear,” said Awawdeh.
For Caribbean immigrants who make up a significant portion of the city’s population, the ruling offers a measure of protection and reassurance. With the mayor’s executive order now firmly on hold, attention turns to whether any further attempts will be made to revive it-or whether the courts will put the matter to rest once and for all.
Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president and Democratic candidate for New York City mayor speaks during a debate with Republican candidate for New York City mayor Curtis Sliwa at the ABC 7 studios in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (Eduardo Munoz/Pool Photo via AP)
