Judge Postpones Opening of ICE Office at Rikers Island Again

NEW YORK — A judge once again pushed back the opening of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island — dealing a blow to Mayor Eric Adams and his administration.

The decision Friday from Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Mary Rosado prevents the city from allowing federal immigration authorities on Rikers Island for potentially several more weeks. Rosado has scheduled the next hearing in the case for May 29.

The ruling came as part of a lawsuit filed by the New York City Council, which is seeking to stop the Adams administration from allowing federal immigration agencies into the jail to arrest migrants accused of certain crimes.

In court Friday, the Council argued the move is a “corrupt bargain,” part of a “quid pro quo” deal with the Trump administration, which successfully moved to dismiss criminal bribery charges levied against Adams.

The Adams administration countered that the lawsuit is part of a campaign to damage the mayor’s credibility during an election year. Both the mayor and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams are running for mayor.

“This is nothing more than a political statement masquerading as a petition,” said Jim Catterson, an attorney representing the mayor’s office.

The Council has asserted that allowing federal immigration authorities access to Rikers Island would irreparably harm immigrant communities and erode their trust in city government, as well as give ICE access to databases and information that could compromise migrants’ safety.

Daniel Kornstein — who represents the Council — said it would also put immigrants accused of minor crimes at risk of deportation and facilitate the Trump administration’s goal of deporting all migrants, not just those accused of crimes.

Catterson rejected the idea that permitting federal immigration officials at Rikers Island would inflict irreversible damage on immigrant communities, labeling it as "mere speculation."

Cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement is already possible and ongoing.

Adams and immigration enforcement chief Tom Homan declared at a press briefing Wednesday that 27 alleged Tren de Agua migrant gang members were indicted in a joint effort conducted by New York Police Department and federal authorities.

For several weeks, the Trump administration has been illegally detaining individuals nationwide, including some of our city’s residents, without proper legal procedures or valid reasons," stated City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. "While the mayor claims to uphold due process, his behavior suggests differently; apparently, he endorses due process solely for himself.

Randy Mastro, the First Deputy Mayor who endorsed the executive order aiming for collaboration with ICE, expressed his disappointment in the ruling during a later press conference. However, he remained optimistic about the administration's eventual success.

“[Violent transnational gangs] are a threat to public safety and we are prepared to do something about it,” Mastro said. “I don’t think the city council should be arguing in court that federal law enforcement should be denied sources of information that will help them prosecute.”

Joe Anuta was involved in this report.