A Democratic congressman from New York, U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, has urged the NYPD to take a firm stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who engage in what he describes as “unlawful actions” during immigration enforcement operations in the city. In a letter addressed to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Goldman criticized ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials for their conduct, claiming they have “violently and improperly” arrested U.S. citizens.
Goldman expressed concerns over the potential for the Department of Homeland Security to deploy large numbers of agents into New York City as part of civil immigration enforcement. He called on the NYPD to be ready to enforce state and local laws against federal agents who commit unlawful acts, potentially leading to arrests and prosecutions for felony violations. The congressman emphasized that conducting warrantless arrests of U.S. citizens or lawful residents—without reasonable suspicion of immigration law violations—oversteps legal bounds.
Citing ICE’s internal policy prohibiting civil immigration enforcement against U.S. citizens, Goldman highlighted news reports of federal agents allegedly detaining or deporting American citizens, actions he argues violate constitutional rights. “No person, regardless of their badge, should be permitted to assault or unlawfully detain any New Yorker without facing consequences,” he stated, calling for local authorities to uphold the law and protect the public in light of perceived federal overreach.
There has been no immediate response from the NYPD or the ICE press office regarding Goldman’s letter. The immigration debate has intensified in New York City, which has seen over 230,000 migrants arrive between 2022 and 2024, linked to increased immigration from the southern U.S. border during the Biden administration. ICE’s operations in the city have reportedly resulted in almost 29,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants, many of whom have criminal records.
The situation has led to legal action as well; the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against New York City over its “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. While federal officials have been criticized for their aggressive tactics—some including violent arrests and crowd dispersal measures—the agency has also reported a spike in violence and threats against its agents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently noted that Mexican drug cartels are offering bounties for the targeting of ICE agents, which compounds the dangers faced by those enforcing federal immigration laws. Amid this contentious environment, Goldman’s call to hold federal agents accountable reflects ongoing tensions between state and federal immigration policies, as New York navigates its role as a sanctuary city in a fractious national debate.