Q&A
Constitutional rights of asylum seekers and coordination with ICE
0:55:23
ยท
89 sec
Council Member Jumaane Williams questions Commissioner Manuel Castro about the constitutional rights of asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, as well as the city's coordination with ICE on certain crimes.
- Castro confirms that undocumented individuals have constitutional rights
- The city's sanctuary laws allow coordination with ICE through a 'criminal carve out' for about 150 violent crimes and felonies
- Williams expresses concern about the mayor's public statements on these issues and their potential harmful impact
Jumaane Williams
0:55:23
because he seems woefully ignorant of what they actually are, and so I'm concerned of where he's getting information or at least are we pushing back.
0:55:30
And so, asylum seekers and the folks who are here, many of them have won are here illegally.
0:55:36
They do have constitutional protections.
0:55:38
He's not the only one that has constitutional protections.
0:55:42
And we also already, as I mentioned, coordinate with ICE in about a 150, violent crimes and felonies.
0:55:50
So is the mayor aware of that?
Manuel Castro
0:55:54
Yes.
0:55:54
The, the administration clarified that, you know, undocumented individuals do, in fact, have constitutional rights.
0:56:03
And, yes, our sanctuary laws, in place, do allow coordination without eyes through what is known as our the criminal carve out.
Jumaane Williams
0:56:15
And so was he aware of that before he made the the statements, or did we correct it after he made the statements?
Manuel Castro
0:56:23
I can't speak to what what he he was aware of or not, but but we do have cons constant conversations about about these issues.
Jumaane Williams
0:56:30
And is he aware that that information is not only divisive, but can cause harm to New Yorkers who are here?
Manuel Castro
0:56:38
Again, I I I really can't speak to what he's aware or not, but but we do have, you know, these conversations internally, and we look to clarify anything that might, might confuse people.