A memo prepared by the Adams administration and recently distributed to migrant shelter operators in New York City gives workers a broad exception to allow federal immigration enforcement officers to enter shelters without a warrant, undercutting both the City's longstanding "sanctuary laws" and previous guidance that the administration issued in early January.
On January 2, the Department of Social Services, which oversees shelters for homeless New Yorkers, including migrant shelters, distributed a Powerpoint presentation to City agencies that described how City employees and contractors should comply with New York City's sanctuary laws. The presentation told workers to call DSS's legal counsel for guidance when non-local law enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, try to gain access to non-public areas of City properties, and were given examples of scenarios in which they should allow immigration agents to enter the premises, including when the officer "presents a judicial warrant," or in "exigent circumstances."
In a January 2 email, DSS Commissioner Molly Park reiterated to nonprofit shelter operators that "non-local law enforcement officials, including federal officers and agents, may not enter DHS or HRA facilities, including those operated by a DHS or HRA provider/vendor, without a warrant signed by a judge, except in exigent circumstances."