On March 1, 2026, Senator Leroy Comrie in partnership with Council Member Nantasha Williams and 1199SEIU hosted an Immigration Enforcement Know-Your-Rights Town Hall at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens.
Over 100 concerned residents attended the meeting. The meeting provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns with ICE entering the community. February 2026 Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 13 disallowing ICE agents to enter hospitals, schools and Houses of Worships.
New York is a city of Black & Indigenous people and the home of immigrants and is considered a sanctuary city. A sanctuary is defined as a municipality, county, or state that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities (ICE) to protect undocumented residents from detention and deportation. Local law enforcement generally does not ask about immigration status or hold individuals solely for immigration violations, aiming to foster trust and improve public safety.
The town hall provided resources from the New York Civil Liberties Union, The Office of New Americas (NY State) and the Immigrant Defense Project. There was also one immigration attorney present answering questions. Some key takeaways to be more informed if confronted with ICE or witnessing ICE were:
- You have the right to remain silent
- You have the right to not open your door
- A warrant for arrest must be a judicial warrant
- You have a right to film actions you see 15 feet from the incident taking place with ICE
- To report ICE activity you can call or text 229-304- 8720
Resources provided by the town hall event included;
