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Q&A
Council Member Chi Ossé questions NYPD Commissioner on immigration enforcement and campus involvement
2:35:50
·
3 min
Council Member Chi Ossé questions NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch about the department's involvement in immigration enforcement and activities on college campuses. Tisch clarifies NYPD's policy of non-participation in civil immigration enforcement and explains their limited involvement on college campuses.
- Tisch reaffirms NYPD's policy of not participating in civil immigration enforcement, even if requested by ICE.
- Discussion of a recent arrest by ICE of a Columbia University graduate, which NYPD was not involved in.
- Explanation of NYPD's limited presence on college campuses, mainly for public safety situations or when requested by property owners.
Chi Ossé
2:35:50
Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the panel in front of me.
2:35:55
I want to ask a question about events that took place in our city from this past Sunday with Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University, as well as an American green card holder who was arrested by ICE in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security.
2:36:10
I know that the mayor released a statement alongside the NYPD saying that back in January that they will not be cooperating with ICE on arrests.
2:36:20
The mayor's statements recently have hinted towards more of a cooperative relationship with ICE as of recent.
2:36:26
Did the NYPD have any role in the arrest and detention of Mr.
2:36:30
Khalil?
Jessica Tisch
2:36:30
We did not.
2:36:31
And I would appreciate the opportunity to once again restate the NYPD's policy as it relates to immigration enforcement.
2:36:40
The New York City Police Department will always follow all laws and we will not participate in civil immigration enforcement, period.
2:36:49
We will go after criminals regardless of their immigration status including through work on our federal, state, and local task forces.
Chi Ossé
2:36:59
And did the federal government give any heads up to the NYPD about this apprehension?
Jessica Tisch
2:37:04
Not that I'm aware of.
Chi Ossé
2:37:05
I want to ask is, what is the NYPD's current involvement on college campuses in the city?
Jessica Tisch
2:37:14
I'll start and then maybe Michael will add.
2:37:18
We actually spend a lot of time in the area, in the vicinity of college campuses of late because of the events that are going on there.
2:37:29
We do not go into college campuses generally unless we are requested by the property owners, unless there is safety situation, the public safety situation that we have to address.
2:37:46
As we recently did at Milstein Hall at Barnard when there was a bomb threat there.
2:37:55
Had to go clear the hall.
Chi Ossé
2:37:56
Thank you for that response.
2:37:58
President Trump tweeted that he will quote find, apprehend, and deport end quote students who have certain views from college campuses.
2:38:06
I know that you stated out the NYPD's policy in terms of, you know, not getting involved in any federal immigration enforcement.
2:38:17
However, I think we've seen from this current president that some things do happen even though they are not kosher or a different approach to how a president moves.
2:38:29
If ICE is asking NYPD for their cooperation and to go against what is in your current guidance, is NYPD and their officers emboldened and empowered to say no and refuse to cooperate?
Jessica Tisch
2:38:41
Yes.
2:38:42
New York City Police Department will not engage in civil immigration enforcement period.
2:38:48
And I put out a memo, an operations order to the entire department in early January I believe that made that point very clear and gave our officers operational guidance on just what to do in those circumstances.
Chi Ossé
2:39:06
Okay.
2:39:06
Thank you so much.
2:39:07
Thank you.