NYC Council Holds Hearing on Sanctuary Law Compliance

Hearing examines NYPD, other agencies' adherence to city's immigrant protections

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The New York City Council is holding a hearing on how well city agencies, including the NYPD, Department of Correction, and Department of Probation, are complying with the city's sanctuary laws that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The hearing follows a review by the NYC Department of Investigation that found gaps and insufficient guidance in agency compliance.

Why it matters

New York City's sanctuary laws are intended to protect immigrant communities, but there have been concerns that some agencies are not fully adhering to these policies, especially amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. The hearing aims to assess the city's preparedness to defend its sanctuary laws and ensure immigrant New Yorkers are truly protected.

The details

The City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations is specifically examining the NYPD, Department of Correction, and Department of Probation's compliance with sanctuary laws. These laws prohibit local agencies from using city resources to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, including holding detainees at ICE's request. However, advocates allege there have been incidents where the NYPD has shared information with immigration officials or assisted in immigration enforcement actions, despite the city's sanctuary policies.

  • The New York City Council is holding the hearing on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • Last year, the City Council requested the Department of Investigation review the city's sanctuary law compliance.
  • Earlier this year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an executive order requiring certain city agencies to audit their sanctuary policies and practices.

The players

Shekar Krishnan

Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations, which is leading the hearing.

Christopher Ryan

Acting Commissioner of the NYC Department of Investigations, which conducted the review on sanctuary law compliance.

Shahana Hanif

New York City Councilmember who has criticized the NYPD's actions in relation to immigration enforcement.

Amanda Holden

Protester who witnessed incidents involving the NYPD and Department of Homeland Security officers during anti-ICE demonstrations.

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What they’re saying

“Today's oversight hearing will get to the heart of two critical questions. One, is New York City prepared on paper and in practice prepared to defend our laws against a lawless federal administration and, two, are our agencies [prepared] to protect, not just on paper but in practice, immigrant New Yorkers across our city?”

— Shekar Krishnan, Chairperson, City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations (cbsnews.com)

“DOI also found [the Department of Correction] was not training personnel how to engage immigration enforcement or officials.”

— Christopher Ryan, Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Investigations (cbsnews.com)

“So while it is illegal, largely illegal, for city agencies to aid ICE, we are seeing week-after-week incidents that show that our city is violating its own laws and that is wrong.”

— Shahana Hanif, New York City Councilmember (cbsnews.com)

“There were protesters that had been pepper-sprayed, sprayed with something else that looked kind of like it was orange, and then there were protesters that had bloody faces.”

— Amanda Holden (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations will use the information gathered in the hearing to determine if further action is needed to ensure city agencies fully comply with New York's sanctuary laws.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the ongoing tension between New York City's sanctuary policies and the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts. It underscores the challenges the city faces in protecting its immigrant communities, even with laws in place, and the need for stronger oversight and accountability around agency compliance.