NYC to Bar ICE from Operating at Rikers and Other Correctional Facilities

Mayor Mamdani expected to sign 'Safer Sanctuary Act' into law, significantly expanding limits on city's collaboration with federal immigration agents.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:23pm

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New York City is set to pass a law barring ICE agents from operating at any of the city's 19 correction facilities, including Rikers Island. The 'Safer Sanctuary Act', which Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to sign into law in the coming days, significantly expands limits on city officials' collaboration with federal agents during immigration crackdowns.

Why it matters

The new law is a response to the Trump administration's efforts to 'weaponize' federal agencies like ICE for immigration enforcement, including a controversial raid on Canal Street last year that saw the FBI and other federal agents descend on the area to crack down on illegal street vendors and migrants. The bill aims to protect undocumented immigrants in the city by limiting the ability of federal agents to operate in local correctional facilities.

The details

The Safer Sanctuary Act, introduced by socialist Astoria Councilmember Tiffany Caban, was passed by the City Council in December but was vetoed by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams. The City Council voted 44 to 7 to override Adams's veto on Thursday, setting up a potential showdown with the Trump administration. The bill significantly expands the city's sanctuary city status, which previously only focused on cooperation with ICE, to bar any federal immigration enforcement agents from operating in city jails and other DOC facilities.

  • The City Council voted to override the mayor's veto on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to sign the Safer Sanctuary Act into law in the coming days.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is expected to sign the Safer Sanctuary Act into law.

Tiffany Caban

A socialist Astoria Councilmember who introduced the Safer Sanctuary Act.

Eric Adams

The former mayor of New York City who vetoed the Safer Sanctuary Act before leaving office.

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What they’re saying

“We're super excited.”

— Rachel, DSA leader (New York Post)

“What it does is respond to the current way that Trump is weaponizing ICE.”

— Rachel, DSA leader (New York Post)

“It's not just collaborating with ICE that is off the table for city agencies, but it's collaborating with any of the federal agencies that Trump is kind of deputizing and weaponizing to do immigration enforcement.”

— Rachel, DSA leader (New York Post)

What’s next

The Safer Sanctuary Act is expected to be signed into law by Mayor Mamdani in the coming days, officially barring ICE and other federal immigration enforcement agents from operating in New York City's correctional facilities.

The takeaway

This new law represents a significant expansion of New York City's sanctuary city policies, going beyond just limiting cooperation with ICE to prohibiting any federal immigration enforcement activity in the city's jails and prisons. It's a direct response to the Trump administration's efforts to 'weaponize' federal agencies for immigration crackdowns, and aims to protect undocumented immigrants in the city.