A New York City council committee took steps Monday to make it more difficult for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to do their job.
The New York Post reports that the five committee members unanimously approved legislation that would block ICE agents from using New York Police Department employees or any city resources when ICE attempts to enforce federal immigration laws.
The decision passed without debate. It now goes before the entire city council for approval, where it is anticipated to receive broad support.
As part of its sanctuary city status, New York already restrains its police from investigating or arresting illegal immigrants. But this latest legislative maneuver will further restrict the ability of ICE agents to effectively operate in the city by cutting off their access to city facilities, employees or even property.
According to Rafael Espinal, a Democratic council member who represents a Brooklyn district, the new law does not undermine the efficacy of ICE.
“The city already cooperates with ICE on its own terms through [current] laws. Any broader or formal arrangement would erode public trust in law enforcement and city agencies. It would also waste local taxpayer dollars,” said Espinal, who was a co-sponsor of the bill.
But District 43 Reform Party candidate Bob Capano is says the bill is outrageous. He told The Daily Caller on Tuesday:
“This is scary, even on Halloween. It’s bad enough that New York City is spending $27 million of taxpayer money to defend those here illegally that commit felonies from deportation, but now they are risking millions in federal grants for anti-terrorism by passing this legislation that violates federal immigration laws.”