New York, NY—Today, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference to herald her department’s ongoing immigration operations in New York City, a day after a deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minnesota.
Noem appeared alongside Homeland Security officials at One World Trade Center. Her remarks denigrated New York City’s sanctuary policies, which she claimed protects "criminals" who come into the U.S. illegally, and further blamed the city’s leadership for supporting "criminals." The facts are clear: sanctuary protections make communities safer. Sanctuary cities experience 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 people in jurisdictions with active sanctuary policies, per the Center for American Progress.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“As our nation mourns the shocking murder of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE agent, this press conference stands as a stark rebuke to calls for justice, while denigrating the very policies that have kept all New Yorkers safe. Secretary Noem lied about events in Minneapolis and she lied about the efficacy of New York’s sanctuary policies. Noem’s baseless and spurious attacks on the city’s sanctuary policies are designed to incite fear among residents and try to bully NYC Mayor Mamdani into abandoning our city’s vital sanctuary policies. The Department of Homeland Security lacks the authority to dictate local or state law and has instead relied on misleading narratives to advance its inhumane political agenda. The facts are clear: cities with sanctuary policies like ours keep communities safe. No changes to these policies are needed or warranted. New Yorkers will not be intimidated by DHS Secretary Noem or anyone else.”