Statement from Legal Services NYC on the Passage of the Laken Riley Act

New York, NY – Today, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, a bill that directs immigration authorities to detain and deport immigrants who lack legal status and who are accused (not convicted of) certain crimes, including misdemeanor offenses like theft and shoplifting.

The following is a statement from Christine Clarke, Chief of Litigation and Advocacy at Legal Services NYC, on the passage of the new law: 

“We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our immigrant clients and immigrant communities across New York City. This new law gives ICE increased powers to detain people merely because they have been arrested for (not convicted of) low-level offenses such as shoplifting. By not requiring someone have a conviction before being subject to potential ICE detention, the law leaves people at the mercy of individual law enforcement officers, who now have the power to subject someone to ICE detention merely by arresting them for a crime, raising concerns around the impact of racial profiling and bias by law enforcement on immigration enforcement.

“Although we are thankful that New York City is still a sanctuary city where the New York City Police are prohibited from cooperating with ICE, we also know that some vulnerable New Yorkers may nevertheless get swept up and detained under this new law — a law that was designed to sow fear and dread in immigrant communities. We urge Mayor Adams to publicly stand up for immigrant New Yorkers and vow to protect them with every tool and law at his disposal.”

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Legal Services NYC fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, LSNYC has challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and helped clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC fights every day to ensure New Yorkers and their families have access to the services, resources, and protections they need to survive. www.legalservicesnyc.org.