NYC Reopens Rikers Island to Federal Immigration Officials for Criminal Investigations

Executive order signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro reverses a decade-long sanctuary policy, with Mayor Adams recusing himself to avoid quid pro quo allegations.

Federal agencies, including ICE and the FBI, are now authorized to operate on Rikers Island to coordinate criminal investigations and share intelligence on violent gangs and drug trafficking.
The executive order explicitly limits federal activity to criminal cases, excluding civil immigration enforcement or deportation actions.
This decision reverses a 2014 sanctuary city policy that barred federal immigration operations in NYC jails, marking a significant policy shift under Mayor Adams' administration.
Mayor Eric Adams recused himself from the decision-making process following the recent dismissal of his federal corruption case to avoid the appearance of a quid pro quo.
Critics, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, have raised concerns about potential political motivations and the impact on immigrant communities' trust in law enforcement.