New York State Judge Mary Rosado has banned the Adams Administration from allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to the Rikers Island jail complex, at least until April 25, when a hearing on the matter has been scheduled.
The order, which specifically cites the mayor, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, and New York City Department of Correction, states that they can’t “take any steps toward negotiating, signing, or implementing any Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government.”
Judge Rosado’s decision follows a lawsuit filed last week by the City Council calling ICE’s entry into the prison “unlawful” and “tainted by the conflict of interest created by the corrupt bargain the mayor entered [into].” These allegations refer to the quid pro quo deal that allegedly existed between Adams and the Trump Administration and denounced by some prosecutors when they resigned: Adams would allow ICE agents to operate in New York City, in contradiction with local “sanctuary city” laws in effect for decades, in exchange for the dismissal of charges against him that were filed in September 2024. One sticking point was the ICE office on Rikers Island, which was removed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. The Justice Department ultimately succeeded in having the Adams case dismissed with prejudice by a Manhattan federal court (meaning that it will remain permanently closed).
In a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Adams shifted responsibility for the matter to First Deputy Mastro and confirmed that Judge Rosado’s order will be complied with at least until April 25.
