Trump Administration Considered Releasing Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities
Can it happen in New York?

An idea floated by President Trump’s aides would have allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other immigration agencies to release immigrants into a so-called sanctuary city in New York rather than releasing them into border towns in the usual process. Deputy White House policy coordinator May Davis suggested the strategy in an email dated November 15, 2018, and sent to members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection and ICE perhaps effecting sanctuary cities such as New York

A Political Rationale For Sanctuary City Immigrants

The justifications and reasons behind this suggested strategy were twofold for releasing persons into a sanctuary city in New York:

• First, it would reduce overcrowding in certain cities by shifting that burden to other cities with improved facilities and increased services for immigrants.
• Second, and perhaps most importantly, it would send a political signal to cities that offer a safe harbor and a warm welcome to immigrants. By dumping large numbers of immigrant families into these cities, the Trump administration could increase the cost to sanctuary cities for their actions.

The cost of transporting immigrants to these cities and the potential liability if any of these people were injured on the way were cited as two of the primary reasons that this policy was not put into effect. DHS officials stated that the proposal was no longer under discussion and had already been rejected.

Why You Need a New York Immigration Lawyer

For immigrants in our area who may be concerned about the hostility and aggressive tactics exhibited by the Trump administration, enlisting the help of a New York immigration lawyer can provide added peace of mind and increased confidence. Your New York immigration lawyer will work with you to determine the best approach to issues involving visas, citizenship, legal residency and other aspects of the immigration process.

If you need the help of a qualified and experienced New York immigration lawyer, Pozo Goldstein can help with the right strategies to counter ICE, DHS and other agencies. We will work with you to determine the best ways to resolve your immigration status and to help you and your family pursue your own American dreams. Call us today at 212-201-9031 to schedule your free initial consultation in our New York office. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.