Judge Blocks ICE Office at Rikers Amid Lawsuit

A New York state judge has temporarily blocked Mayor Eric Adams from allowing ICE to operate at the Rikers Island jail complex, following a lawsuit by the New York City Council. The City Council alleges that Adams struck a deal with the Trump administration to have his corruption charges dropped in exchange for cooperating with ICE, a claim Adams denies. The restraining order, issued by Judge Mary Rosado, prohibits the city from negotiating or implementing agreements with federal law enforcement regarding Rikers until a hearing scheduled for Friday. The Adams administration maintains that ICE's presence would be limited to targeting gang and drug-related crimes and would not violate New York's 2014 sanctuary city laws. Critics argue the move undermines those protections. The judge may extend, modify, or vacate the order following the upcoming hearing.