A Department of Homeless Services social worker sent a client in a city shelter to the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza last week, according to a referral form reviewed by Hell Gate.
City policy forbids municipal employees from cooperating with civil immigration enforcement, but that policy and training evidently didn't stick with the DHS social worker, who, after communicating with the shelter resident March 25, filled out a form directing him to report to 26 Federal Plaza at 10 a.m. the next day, according to the form.
The shelter resident had already been arrested once by ICE when he attended an immigration check-in at the same location earlier this year. Attorneys and courtwatchers working with a rapid response group witnessed his arrest at the time, and, working with Congressman Dan Goldman's office, were able to secure his release with a habeas petition, and prevent him from becoming subject to the reign of arrest, detention and removal that has characterized ICE's presence at 26 Federal Plaza over the past year.