Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
NYPD's stance on immigration enforcement and federal partnerships
0:25:37
·
118 sec
Commissioner Tisch clarifies the NYPD's position on immigration enforcement and its relationship with federal law enforcement agencies.
- Emphasizes that NYPD does not participate in or assist with civil immigration enforcement
- Affirms that NYPD will continue to target criminals regardless of immigration status
- Explains the necessity of working with federal partners on criminal investigations
- Defends the importance of information sharing in joint investigations with federal agencies
- Addresses concerns about potential misuse of information by federal agencies for immigration enforcement
- Expresses confidence in the current relationship with federal partners based on mutual respect and trust
Jessica Tisch
0:25:37
Under city law we are not allowed to participate in or assist in civil immigration enforcement and we do not.
0:25:45
We have been very clear and consistent on this and our officers understand that this is a red line that we cannot cross.
0:25:52
At the same time we will continue to target criminals regardless of their immigration status.
0:25:57
As permitted by law we work daily on criminal investigations with federal law enforcement through various task forces.
0:26:04
And that partnership requires that we share information.
0:26:07
That is what it means to conduct a joint investigation and to work collaboratively with our federal partners.
0:26:15
Some have asked whether we should reconsider our cooperation with federal agencies on criminal investigations in light of their work with ICE.
0:26:23
The short straight answer to this is no.
0:26:27
Working with our federal partners on criminal matters is crucial to the safety of our city.
0:26:31
We are talking about cases to protect our city from terrorism.
0:26:34
Saving children from exploitation and sex trafficking.
0:26:37
And combating transnational criminal organizations.
0:26:41
The only way these investigations are successful is by NYPD detectives working seamlessly with federal agents on a daily basis.
0:26:49
Interfering with that work would be disastrous for the people of New York City.
0:26:54
Now let me be clear.
0:26:56
I am nobody's fool.
0:26:58
If we were to find that a federal agency had not been honest with us, if we were told that a records request was for a criminal investigation but in fact that was not true then that would be a tremendous breach of our trust.
0:27:12
And we would need to reconsider how we do business with that federal agency.
0:27:16
I have been very upfront about that with all of our federal partners.
0:27:21
But my experience has been just the opposite.
0:27:24
We have an incredibly good relationship with our federal partners.
0:27:27
A relationship built on mutual respect and trust.
0:27:31
I know that I value that relationship and I know that my federal counterparts feel the same way.