NEW YORK – The New York City Police Department’s patrol chief is calling on New York to change its sanctuary city laws. He spoke exclusively with CBS News New York’s Ali Bauman.
Immigration advocates say New York’s sanctuary laws protect immigrants and also encourage them to cooperate with police if they are victims or witnesses of a crime. But some, including Chell, argue that current laws allow dangerous criminals to avoid deportation.
Migrants Arrested for Alleged Coney Island Rape
It all comes after two migrants were arrested for their alleged involvement in the rape of a 46-year-old woman in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Police said one suspect was recently released from jail in June after being arrested last year for raping someone at a city shelter.
“When that case was heard, the next step should have been for him to get on a bus or a plane and be removed from our city,” Chell said.
Mayor Eric Adams called the Coney Island case despicable and expressed frustration with current laws.
“The laws do not allow us to cooperate with [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)]. That’s the law. And, you know, I’m not happy about it. And I think he’s the poster child for what’s wrong with not doing that coordination,” Adams said.
NYC Officials Want NYPD-ICE Cooperation
Chell says New York’s sanctuary laws should be amended to allow the NYPD to cooperate with ICE when a migrant has been convicted of a violent crime.
“Most of them are here for the American dream, but there’s a small portion that’s not … We don’t care what your status is — if you commit a violent crime, there should be consequences,” he said. “We just expect the local government to maybe make that adjustment to those laws to really — at the end of the day, this all falls under the umbrella of keeping people safe.”
Kenneth Genalo, director of the ICE office, spoke with CBS News New York’s Jennifer Bisram in July.
“If we don’t cooperate and the NYPD’s sanctuary policy doesn’t allow me to work with my staff, how can we keep the community safe?” he said.
Criminal defense attorney Robert Osuna has extensive experience working with clients in immigration proceedings. He says that in some cases, police and ICE can work together, but the law severely limits this.
“They are not allowed to notify ICE unless there is a court order against that person. That person would not have a court order with immigration because immigration would not be aware of that offense,” he said.
Adams said he plans to meet with party leaders next week at the Democratic National Convention to discuss issues including immigration, public safety and affordability.
CBS News New York reached out to Legal Aid, the Immigration Coalition and the NYCLU, but none of them would comment.
Ali Bouwman
