Whatever the particulars in the original case against Mayor Adams, last week’s order by newly appointed US Deputy Attorney General Emile Bove to drop the proceedings against him but not dismiss the case altogether and the subsequent resignations of four Deputy Mayors brought our confidence in the City’s leadership to a new low.
Statements from both Mr. Bove and “Border Czar” Tom Homan have clearly shown that they expect the Mayor’s full cooperation in assisting with the deportations of the newest New Yorkers—even though this could be in violation of New York City’s existing law providing sanctuary for immigrants and asylum seekers.
As the interim US Attorney and former law clerk of Justice Anton Scalia, Danielle Sassoon said when she resigned her position last week, “the Mayor’s advocacy should be called out for what it is: an improper offer of immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal of his case.”
This scenario is not hypothetical. Last week, shortly after his case was dropped, Mayor Adams announced his decision to overturn a cornerstone of the City’s sanctuary legislation (Int 0486-2014) that banned ICE from operating on Rikers—thereby increasing the likelihood that immigrant New Yorkers, including those who have not yet received a trial, will be detained and deported.
We note the Mayor’s accomplishments in areas of special concern to us—developing and improving the HERRC shelter system and passing “The City of Yes” legislation that will expand and improve NYC’s housing stock for all New Yorkers. However, given his vulnerability to the Trump Administration and willingness to assist the ICE in advancing the deportation of immigrants, we at the Interfaith Center of NY, representing many diverse faith communities, are not confident in Mayor Adams’ leadership at this moment in time.
