NYC Council Dems push Schumer to block ICE funding

More than two-thirds of the New York City Council signed on to a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer imploring him to continue blocking any funding package that includes resources for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The letter, which was signed by 41 Democratic council members, cites the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents, saying they are not isolated incidents. They underscore the broader issues with how ICE and DHS operate – an apparatus the letter describes as rife with “excessive force, minimal accountability and profound disregard for human life.” Earlier this month, a City Council data analyst was detained by immigration agents while making a routine court appearance on Long Island.

The effort to send the letter to Schumer was led by Council Member Shahana Hanif. While City Council Speaker Julie Menin did not sign on, the majority of her leadership team did. 

“As representatives of New York City – home to one of the largest and most vibrant immigrant populations in the world – we urge you to continue blocking any funding package that resources ICE or DHS,” the letter reads. “Incremental reforms will not prevent deaths, curb abuse, or meaningfully change an agency whose mission and structure are fundamentally incompatible with democratic values.”

Schumer is backing reforms. The council members’ plea comes as he vowed Senate Democrats would not help advance a spending package without changes to immigration enforcement, including a requirement that officers carry ID and don’t wear masks. Without a deal, a partial government shutdown seems likely starting Friday night. 

After this story was published, a spokesperson for Menin said she spoke with Schumer directly to express her concerns about ICE. “ICE has been harassing, jailing, and murdering innocent people across the country. This is a threat to our safety and to our democracy, and there is no reason our tax dollars should continue to support it. As I expressed to Leader Schumer, I support the position outlined in this letter from my colleagues — unless this agency and its operations are completely structurally reformed, our federal representatives should refuse to support any further funding.”