Syracuse Mayor Owens Declines to Codify Anti-ICE Stance

Advocates push for executive order, but mayor says current policy is sufficient

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:05pm

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Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens has repeatedly pledged against allowing her police force to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but unlike other Democratic mayors around the country, she does not plan to codify that stance into city law through an executive order. Advocates argue an executive order would strengthen Owens' message and provide legal recourse, but the mayor's office says her current policy of limiting federal partnerships to criminal investigations is sufficient.

Why it matters

As Democratic mayors across the U.S. issue executive orders to limit ICE's local operations, Syracuse's stance highlights the political calculations some leaders are making. An executive order could reassure immigrant communities and educate residents on their rights, but Owens appears to be taking a more moderate approach by avoiding an aggressive anti-ICE stance.

The details

Unlike over a dozen Democratic mayors who have issued executive orders prohibiting city resources from being used to assist ICE, Owens has not taken that step, though she has endorsed state-level legislation to restrict local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Advocates argue an executive order would create legal recourse and require the city to establish clearer guidelines, but Owens' team says her current policy of limiting federal partnerships to criminal investigations is sufficient.

  • In February 2026, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan issued an executive order prohibiting city employees or resources from supporting ICE operations.
  • Earlier this week, Owens joined six other mayors in New York to reiterate their call for the state to enact the 'New York For All Act', which would restrict local law enforcement collaboration with ICE.

The players

Sharon Owens

The Democratic mayor of Syracuse, New York, who has pledged against allowing her police force to partner with ICE but has not codified that stance into city law.

Jessica Maxwell

The executive director of the Syracuse Immigrant Resource and Defense Network, an organization that advocates for immigrants and has called on Owens to issue an executive order against ICE cooperation.

Muzzafar Chisti

A senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and the director of MPI's office at the New York University School of Law, who argues that Owens' decision not to issue an executive order is a political calculation to cater to moderate voters.

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What they’re saying

“We understand there's a pledge for non-cooperation, but that's a really limited sort of scope.”

— Jessica Maxwell, Executive Director, Syracuse Immigrant Resource and Defense Network

“If she doesn't want to be seen as aggressively anti-ICE or pro-immigrant, she would say, 'I never myself issued a statement, the law is the law.' I think that's what's going on here is that she is hedging her bets.”

— Muzzafar Chisti, Senior Fellow, Migration Policy Institute

What’s next

The New York For All Act, which Owens has endorsed, is still pending in the state legislature. If passed, it would restrict local law enforcement collaboration with ICE, potentially making an executive order from Owens less necessary.

The takeaway

Owens' decision not to issue an executive order against ICE cooperation, despite pledging non-cooperation, highlights the political calculations some Democratic mayors are making on this issue. While an executive order could provide more legal protections and clarity, Owens appears to be taking a more moderate approach that may appeal to a broader set of voters.