Mayor Adams Responds to Executive Order Controversy
Mayor Eric Adams reiterated on Friday that he cannot issue an executive order to reinstate the Sanctuary Urban Act. This comes amidst increasing pressure from a new lawsuit filed by the Trump administration, which challenges the city’s pro-immigration policies.
“You can’t do that,” Adams told Fox5, emphasizing that any amendment to the law must go through the city council.
This statement followed a lawsuit by the Justice Department against New York City, Adams, and the Council, seeking to declare the city’s longstanding sanctuary status unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was reportedly triggered by a shooting incident on July 19 involving off-duty customs and border protection agents during a botched robbery by two undocumented immigrants.
In response to the legal action, the council issued a statement, but Adams is trying to navigate the tension between supporting sanctuary protections for law-abiding immigrants while suggesting policies should be reconsidered for violent offenders.
Sanctuary policies primarily restrict cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration officials. Earlier, Adams had issued an executive order in April aimed at reopening the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office on Rikers Island, but that effort was blocked by a judge.
City Councillor Joan Ariola, among those opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit against the city’s sanctuary law, expressed skepticism about Adams’ claim of being unable to issue an executive order. “The mayor is speaking from both sides here,” she said, accusing him of using the situation as an excuse for inaction. “We’ve seen him issue executive orders despite the council’s objections.”
A spokesperson for City Hall, Kayla Mamelak, was unclear when asked if Adams would consider a similar executive order strategy. “What do EOs say?” she questioned.
Adams has issued various executive orders, often colliding with council opinions, attempting to manage shelter provisions and other issues during the immigration crisis. An earlier attempt to revise the city’s right-to-shelter protections resulted in a settlement that yielded only a partial victory.
Moreover, Adams’ effort to circumvent council decisions regarding solitary confinement met with strong backlash from the judiciary, with a judge ruling that the mayor cannot simply override established laws.
Sources within the City Council indicated that Adams’ authority is constrained. Any executive order aiming to change sanctuary protections could be countered by state legislation or provoke further lawsuits, potentially compromising the council’s stance.
“He has very limited authority unless the governor grants some leverage,” one source explained.
The ongoing DOJ lawsuit suggests that Adams, despite having cultivated a working relationship with certain officials, may not be in good favor with the Trump administration. Other sanctuary cities like Chicago and Los Angeles previously faced similar lawsuits but New York City had been relatively insulated until now.
“They’re going to work with him. Homan was trying to spare him,” a source remarked, pointing out that while Adams is collaborating, he isn’t making sufficient progress.
The incident involving the shooting of off-duty CPB agents has notably changed the conversation, leading to sharp criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, who condemned the city’s sanctuary policies in a recent press event.
When asked about the lawsuit outside the White House, Trump remarked that it was a standard filing and emphasized the need for safety in the city. “It’s going to be a pretty routine submission to other cities,” he added.
