Faith-Based Immigrant Helpers ‘Unclear’ and Uninspired After Meeting With Mayor
A Growing Sense of Uncertainty
Faith leaders and other advocates working with the city’s migrants and asylum seekers are bracing for enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement once incoming President Donald Trump takes office — and the message from Mayor Eric Adams on the topic remains unclear.
A Meeting with Mayor Adams
More than 100 clergy and other humanitarian directors met Friday with the mayor and his top staff in an hour-long virtual meeting organized by Pastor Gil Monrose, the mayor’s faith advisor, to share multiple concerns ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
Concerns and Uncertainty
The list of concerns ranged from what the city could do to support their own staff to protect against people with anti-immigrant views, to what the city will do to protect locations listed in ICE’s internal guidance as "sensitive sites" if Trump repeals it, according to people who attended the meeting.
ICE’s Sensitive Sites
ICE historically refrained from enforcement at a list of "sensitive sites," including schools, rallies, and houses of worship.
Protection and Support
Attendees also asked what the city could do to protect people being detained on their way to these locations, and what the mayor has told new NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch about police cooperating with ICE.
Personal Legal Issues
Adams was also questioned about whether he would let his own personal legal issues get in the way of any decisions he could make on behalf of undocumented New Yorkers — which he angrily said would have no impact, multiple people told THE CITY.
The Mayor’s Message
The mayor’s message, which he repeated throughout, was that the NYPD would neither assist nor interfere with federal agents attempting to carry out deportations, multiple people on the call told THE CITY.
Unclear Messaging
But attendees like Ruth Messinger, the former Manhattan borough president and City Council member now serving as co-chair of the Interfaith Center of New York, told THE CITY the mayor’s messaging has remained "unclear" even after their meeting.
Fear No Evil
The growing anxiety among those who help the less fortunate is due to President-elect Trump’s vow to initiate mass deportations as soon as he’s sworn in next week. A network of public schools serving mostly immigrant students began preparing for that scenario soon after he was elected.
Meeting and Network
Many of the religious leaders are meeting Thursday morning at the Union Theological Seminary to share resources, training, and network with other people as they prepare for mass deportations.
Committed to Serving
Rev. Matthew Heyd, the bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, attended the meeting and said clergy across the board remain committed to serving their community members, regardless of immigration status.
Conclusion
The faith-based immigrant helpers are left with more questions than answers after meeting with Mayor Adams. The uncertainty and fear among those who help the less fortunate are palpable, and it remains to be seen how the city will respond to the incoming administration’s policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the city’s stance on ICE enforcement?
A: The mayor has stated that the NYPD will neither assist nor interfere with federal agents attempting to carry out deportations.
Q: What will happen to locations listed in ICE’s internal guidance as "sensitive sites" if Trump repeals it?
A: The city has not provided a clear answer to this question.
Q: How will the city protect undocumented New Yorkers from mass deportations?
A: The city has not provided a clear answer to this question.
Q: What is the city’s stance on personal legal issues affecting decisions on behalf of undocumented New Yorkers?
A: The mayor has stated that his personal legal issues will have no impact on his decisions.
