Trump rescinds longstanding policy that exempted churches, schools and hospitals and other locations from immigration enforcement
Photos and videos are available here
Livestream of the rally is available here
Sensitive Locations Factsheet here
New York, NY—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), elected officials and community leaders rallied at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery against the devastating new federal directive that strips longstanding protections from immigrant New Yorkers who seek resources in sensitive locations including hospitals, schools and houses of worship.
The Trump administration’s dangerous policy change exposes millions of New Yorkers — especially our most vulnerable neighbors — to immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, including:
- Schools where children seek education
- Hospitals and health clinics providing essential care
- Places of worship offering spiritual refuge
- Domestic violence shelters protecting vulnerable families
- Emergency response sites during disasters
- Community gatherings, including funerals, weddings and religious ceremonies
“We are a nation of immigrants and nowhere is that more true than in Queens which is why we are known as the World’s Borough. Sites like schools, houses of worship and hospitals should continue to be off limits absent a judicial warrant. Seeking those convicted of violent crimes should not stop kids from going to school or prevent patients from receiving the medical attention they need. But ultimately, we have to enact comprehensive immigration reform to finally fix our broken immigration system. I have long called for this to happen and continue to do so. The status quo remains unacceptable, and Congress needs to act so that our children, individuals requiring medical care and others throughout New York are not forced to live their lives in fear," said Congresswoman Grace Meng, District 6.
“Through his horrifying and callous mass deportation campaign, President Trump is sweeping up thousands of immigrants who are guilty of nothing except contributing to our communities. This is a cruel and extreme response that does nothing to fix our broken immigration system. Its only purpose is to sow fear. No one should have to be afraid that taking their children to school, seeking medical care, or going to worship will result in their arrest and deportation. We should be focused on actions that help, not wasting taxpayer money staking out places where everyone in our community should feel safe. That’s why I’m joining my colleagues to cosponsor the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would codify this commonsense guidance and ensure that the Trump administration isn’t allowed to sow terror in our communities," said Congressman Paul Tonko, District 20.
"This reckless rollback by the Trump administration undermines the trust that is essential in our schools, places of worship, hospitals, and other community spaces. No child should ever fear that their parent could be taken away at school drop-off, and no family should have to choose between seeking medical care and avoiding deportation. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting immigrant communities, and condemn these federal policies that sow fear and division and make everyone less safe and secure,” said State Senator John Liu, District 16.
“New York City's African, Asian, Caribbean, European, Latino, and Middle Eastern immigrant communities are essential parts of our city's culture, economy, and neighborhoods. Allowing ICE enforcement to disrespect sensitive locations, like our schools, houses of worship, and healthcare facilities, disrupts the health of our communities and makes our city less safe. Our city government must do all it can to protect New Yorkers from the damage caused by the Trump Administration's extreme actions that threaten their education, health, religious practices and safety," said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
"This Council is making clear that we will not remain idle as this Administration threatens to not only upend our communities but also sow fear and chaos. This new directive allowing ICE access to sensitive locations doesn't make our immigrant communities safe by any means and only now force people to live in the shadows. Our work ahead will be long and difficult as we navigate an unpredictable administration whose intentions and actions are poised to harm us rather than support everyday people. The Council is working to ensure that families are protected and ready for the evolving challenges and threat that this federal administration poses through resources we are helping provide on the ground," said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, District 8.
"I strongly condemn the Trump administration's draconian directive to eliminate sensitive areas. These kinds of mass deportation laws are not about eliminating threats to public safety, they are about spreading xenophobia and fear throughout working-class neighborhoods, which severely damage our public safety systems. Already, cities across the U.S. are suffering as a result of the panic spread by the president's highly-publicized ICE raids. We will stand up and fight for a future that includes public safety for every working family, regardless of immigration status," said Council Member Alexa Avilés, Chair of NYC Council's Committee on Immigration, District 38.
“Schools, hospitals, places of worship, and playgrounds should be places of safety, not sites of fear and aggressive immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security’s reckless directive to roll back protections for sensitive locations and the spirit of the federal administration’s crackdown is an attack on our immigrant communities and the values that make New York City a beacon of hope and opportunity. We know we are safer when all New Yorkers, regardless of status, can access essential services without the threat of detention and deportation. This cruel directive not only endangers families but also undermines the trust between communities and local institutions,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, District 2.
"Threatening schools, places of worship, hospitals, and playgrounds with ICE is rooted in scapegoating and hate, not public safety. When you drive communities underground, they don’t seek health care. They're less likely to work with public safety officials. They become afraid to send their children to school. They’re afraid to go to work and participate in the economy. This will make us all less safe. New Yorkers: protect each other. Step up for each other. Know your rights. Love your neighbors. Immigrants make this city and this country great," said Council Member Tiffany Cabán, District 22.
“Allowing ICE and CBP to target sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and places of worship creates fear where there should be refuge. This policy endangers families, children, and those seeking care, and we will not stand by while it happens. New York has always been a beacon of hope and inclusion, and we will continue to fight back against any attempt to change that. I stand with the New York Immigration Coalition and all who are committed to ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of status, can live and thrive without fear," said Council Member Shaun Abreu, District 7.
"Schools, churches and playgrounds should be places of learning, community and joy. Not fear. The Trump administration’s move to allow immigration enforcement into sensitive areas is appalling and cruel. I strongly condemn this action and am proud to stand with New York Immigration Coalition to affirm that in my district and across New York City, we will protect our immigrant communities," said Council Member Shekar Krishnan, District 25.
"As Chair of the NYC Council’s Committee on Civil and Human Rights, I am deeply alarmed by the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to roll back protections that have long shielded our immigrant communities from fear and intimidation. Allowing enforcement actions in spaces like schools, places of worship, hospitals, and playgrounds is a direct attack on the fundamental rights and dignity of those who call this city home. New York City stands firm in its commitment to being a safe haven for all, regardless of immigration status. We will not allow federal policies to erode the trust and safety of our communities, and I will continue to fight for policies that uphold human rights and protect our most vulnerable residents," said Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, District 27.
"Trump’s reckless sensitive location directive is an assault on New York's immigrant communities and threatens the safety of all New Yorkers. When parents fear sending their children to school or seeking emergency medical care or reporting crimes, our entire city suffers. New York State and New York City must use their full authority to shield our communities from these destructive raids that tear families apart and undermine public safety, and Congress must step up in this moment to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. The time for action is now — New York must stand firm against this deliberate campaign of fear and intimidation targeting our most vulnerable neighbors," said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“Recent ICE raids and threats of deportation have put our communities on edge. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in New York, and Chinese immigrants in particular have already been singled out as "national security threats." Rumors circulating over social media have made vulnerable Asian New Yorkers fearful of going to hospitals to even get emergency care. Parents are now afraid to send their children to school. We call on New York City to honor its commitment to the safety and rights of all New Yorkers and continue to protect hospitals, schools, places of worship, and other sensitive spaces from ICE enforcement,” said Andrew Sta. Ana, Interim Co-Executive Director, Asian American Federation.
"Doctors and other healthcare workers swore an oath that applies to the care and wellbeing of all our patients and all New Yorkers, regardless of country of origin or status. [The non-public patient-care areas of all ] ERs, hospitals and clinics must remain free of ICE and any other immigration policing, so all our patients can be cared for securely, safely, and with the same privacy we all expect. We call on our healthcare institutions to provide the clear messaging, guidance, and training that we need to prevent such disruptions in care for all our patients,” said Dr. Steve Auerbach, physician, New York Doctors (NYDocs) Coalition.
“Mosques in the Bronx, temples in Queens and churches and synagogues in Manhattan share a commitment to religious liberty with a wide range of faith leaders and elected officials, both locally and nationally. Trump’s rollback of the sensitive site policy violates religious liberty by defining direct service as a non-essential to religious practice and by creating a chilling effect for worship in certain faith communities. We call on our courts, and our city and state elected officials to stand up for our basic rights and the rule of law,” said The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, Interfaith Center of New York.
“Students and families are scared. Despite the orders and new policies, students still have a legal right to attend public school. In NYC, the lengthy instructions boil down to this: Stop non-local enforcement at the door and call the NYCPS assigned lawyer. While fear may make it hard for parents and students to feel comfortable going to school, know this: Schools and educators are prepared to do what is right by their students and what they are legally required to do,” said Lara Evangelista, Executive Director, Internationals Network for Public Schools, and a leader of NY-AFFIRMs.
“Today, we face an alarming injustice. The Trump administration has rescinded protections that kept immigration enforcement away from our houses of worship, our schools, our hospitals—our sacred spaces. This is not just a policy shift; this is an attack on the very places that offer refuge, healing, and education to all people, regardless of status. As a person of faith, I must ask: What kind of society do we become when our mosques, synagogues, churches, and schools are no longer safe? When parents fear sending their children to school? When a sick mother hesitates to seek care at a hospital because she might be separated from her family?” said Imam Ammar Abdul Rahman, Deputy Imam, Masjid Al-Haram USA in the Bronx.