New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers have been given specific guidelines on how to handle situations involving migrant criminals, according to an internal memo obtained by The Post. The memo, issued on January 18, highlights the restrictions that officers face under the city’s immigrant-friendly sanctuary policies.
The memo emphasizes that while NYPD officers are permitted to work with federal law enforcement agencies on criminal investigations involving migrants, they are not authorized to engage in civil immigration enforcement or assist in the deportation of migrants. The document states that the presence of an individual in the United States without lawful authorization is considered a civil matter, not a crime, and falls under the jurisdiction of federal immigration authorities.
The recent memo comes at a time when President Trump has signed executive orders to overhaul the nation’s immigration policy, including plans to deport millions of migrants who are in the country illegally. Trump’s new immigration czar, Tom Homan, has identified sanctuary cities like New York as targets for the crackdown.
Despite Mayor Eric Adams’ criticisms of the city’s sanctuary status, he has acknowledged that his hands are tied by the laws supported by city lawmakers. This puts NYPD officers in a challenging position, as they are required to adhere to state and city laws that prohibit them from engaging in civil immigration enforcement.
While NYPD officers routinely collaborate with outside agencies on criminal investigations, they are prohibited from reporting the location of illegal migrants to federal immigration authorities or holding them for deportation. The memo also states that officers are not allowed to obstruct federal immigration officials from carrying out their duties.
In conclusion, the NYPD memo serves as a reminder to officers of the limitations imposed by state and city laws regarding civil immigration enforcement. It underscores the importance of respecting these guidelines while continuing to work with federal agencies on criminal investigations involving migrants.
