Thanks to your support, we’re fighting to improve New York City’s sanctuary protections.

This week, IDP and partners in the ICE Out! NYC coalition spent a day talking to city council members about why New York City must pass Intro 214, which would prevent unjust immigrant detention by increasing accountability when city agencies violate local sanctuary laws.


A dozen organizations from ICE Out! NYC met with 8 different Council Members and staffers and stopped by many more Council offices to drop-off materials and speak with staff. You can check out our lobby day round-up from the day here and a reel with some of our participants.

New York City laws place limits on city agencies which prohibit information sharing and collusion under many circumstances. However, city agencies - especially the New York Policy Department (NYPD) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) - have violated these laws, resulting in grave harm to immigrants. Yes there is currently no way to hold city agencies accountable when they violate local sanctuary laws. Intro 214 would create a “private right of action” - which allows a private person to take legal action to enforce their rights - so that people wronged by violations of sanctuary laws can seek justice in court, including the payment of money damages.

In February 2023, thanks to a FOIL filed by IDP and BAJI, a Council oversight hearing revealed that DOC had been colluding with ICE to transfer immigrants from DOC to ICE in violation of city law. The Council also heard stories from several community members and advocates, including the story of Javier Castillo Maradiaga, who was detained by ICE for 15 months after DOC transferred him to ICE custody in direct violation of local detainer laws. Since then, a recently arrived migrant mother, “Jennifer” has spoken out about how she was detained by ICE after a case worker for the Administration for Children’s Services provided information about her to ICE in violation of city law.

With your support, IDP is working to improve New York City’s sanctuary laws and uplift the voices of directly impacted immigrant leaders like Javier and “Jennifer” who are speaking out about the need ensure city agencies follow the law. Collusion between city agencies and ICE sews distrust between community members and local government. Intro 214 would provide accountability for violations and prevent the unjust detention of immigrant New Yorkers.