Immigration advocates in New York are voicing strong opposition to anticipated moves by the incoming Donald Trump administration to revoke a policy that has restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests at or near “sensitive locations” without prior approval.
These locations include schools, houses of worship, and hospitals, which advocates argue should remain protected spaces.
Sources suggest the policy repeal could happen as early as January 20, 2025—Trump’s first day in office—alongside sweeping changes to immigration enforcement policies.
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), called the proposed changes “cruel and politically motivated,” asserting that targeting immigrants in sensitive locations endangers vulnerable populations and public safety. “This move will discourage families from sending their children to school or seeking essential services,” Awawdeh said. He urged state leaders to respond by passing the New York For All Act, legislation designed to limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Awawdeh added that the Act would ensure immigrant families, including those from the Caribbean, are informed of their rights and shielded from ICE overreach.
Natalia Aristizabal, deputy director of Make the Road New York, echoed similar concerns, describing the reports as “horrifying but predictable.” She emphasized the need for local and state officials to take immediate action, including advancing laws to protect immigrant communities. “Everyone deserves to attend church or school without fearing arrest or separation from loved ones,” Aristizabal said, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to prioritize protective measures for New York’s immigrant families.
The proposals have also drawn attention to remarks by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who recently indicated a willingness to cooperate with incoming Trump administration officials on deportation policies. Advocates have criticized Adams for his stance, calling on him to uphold existing protections for immigrants in the city.
The controversy unfolds as immigration advocates point to the broader context of migrants arriving in New York, many of whom are nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Trump’s campaign promises to ramp up deportations, if re-elected, have only heightened concerns among immigrant rights organizations.
Advocates are resolute in their calls for immediate action, with the NYIC’s Awawdeh asserting, “New York must refuse to participate in ICE’s cruel agenda and uphold its values as a beacon of hope for all.”
