Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) entered several shelters in New York at least five times between January and May of this year without a warrant and were allowed access, according to the shelters' incident report, published today by the Gothamist newspaper.

The serious aspect of the case is that sanctuary laws of New York City law prohibits city employees from authorizing federal immigration officers to enter private areas owned by the city, with some exceptions, even if presented with a warrant or if there are “compelling circumstances,” such as imminent danger.

According to reports, on two occasions, shelter employees allowed ICE agents into private areas, and in a third case, provided agents with information about a former resident without verifying whether they had a warrant, in violation of the law that declared New York City an immigrant-friendly or “sanctuary city.”

In two other cases, immigration agents bypassed reception staff and entered private areas of city shelters without presenting a warrant.

According to the media outlet, the actions of federal agents described in the reports show how the city's sanctuary laws are being tested by federal officials, and that city employees may not have consistently followed the law.

However, most have maintained their policies that limit cooperation with immigration authorities, so the results have been minimal.

Meanwhile, the publication adds that the Department of Social Services, responsible for the vast majority of shelters, asserted that their staff “never” deliberately violated protocol or the law. which Mayor Eric Adams tried to abolish when the city began receiving thousands of immigrants each week.

“City Council must urgently pass the Safe Sanctuary Act and the City Trust Act to strengthen our commitment to protecting all New Yorkers and close any existing legal loopholes,” the activist said.

According to Awawdeh, when the next mayor, Zohran Mamdani, takes office next month, there must be a firm commitment to enforcing sanctuary laws and rigorously training all city staff on how to implement them.