Mayor Adams Should Revitalize the ICE Office on Rikers Island

Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) has thrown down the gauntlet to Mayor Adams: it’s time to genuinely protect New Yorkers from criminal migrants.

On Tuesday, Adams stated he is open to deporting migrants who’ve been charged with crimes—a sensible change from his prior stance that only those migrants convicted of crimes should be removed from New York City.

“Cancel me,” Adams challenged the left, “because I’m committed to protecting the people of this city.”

One practical step he could take to prove his commitment is to support Holden’s initiative to reopen the ICE office at Rikers Island, which was closed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014, facilitating local law enforcement’s communication with ICE and the honoring of detainers for criminal migrants.

As Holden stated on Wednesday, “Tough talk is good, but actions speak louder.”

New Yorkers are in dire need of action: Federal statistics reveal that over 58,000 migrants, including at least 1,000 gang members who are either convicted felons or facing criminal charges, have inundated the city—and these are only the ones known to federal authorities.

Violent, thieving migrant youths are assaulting individuals in Times Square; the ruthless Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is operating a successful drug, arms, and prostitution network throughout the five boroughs; robberies and assaults have surged in areas housing the most migrant shelters.

The city’s unwillingness to cooperate with ICE is shielding these criminals who disregard New Yorkers’ hospitality.

While Adams has exhibited commendable resistance to his party’s lenient views on crime and open borders, he has yet to take decisive action.

Granted, his power is limited: Significant changes to sanctuary policies must pass through the leftists in the City Council or be enacted through an executive order from Gov. Hochul.

However, Adams missed the chance to have his Charter Revision Commission place sanctuary repeal on the ballot last month—an opportunity to bypass the council and appeal directly to the voters.

It’s time for him to transform his rhetoric into tangible action.

Reopening the ICE office at Rikers would demonstrate that City Hall is committed to “protecting” New Yorkers and collaborating with the incoming administration to expel criminals from the city.

Even more importantly, it would convey a clear message to the border-crossing lawbreakers brazenly terrorizing New York: Your time here is running out.