De Blasio: No Arrests So Far In ICE Immigration Crackdown
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A crackdown on illegal immigrants facing deportation was expected to begin to Sunday in at least nine cities across the country.
But so far they've been limited to New York City, immigration sources told CBS2.
Federal and customs enforcement agents were seen knocking on doors in Sunset Park, Brooklyn this weekend.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has said New York City will not help Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in making arrests, and reported no arrests when he spoke to the media in the afternoon.
ICE is targeting roughly 2,000 people, including families, with final deportation orders.
Web Extra: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Officials Addresses ICE Raids:
Advocates are coaching immigrants on their rights, including not to respond if agents knock on the door unless they show a warrant signed by a judge.
RELATED STORY: ICE To Carry Out Nationwide Raid For Undocumented Immigrants In New York, Other Major Cities This Weekend
At a press conference Sunday, Sen. Chuck Schumer spoke out against the raids.
Web Extra: Sen. Chuck Schumer Addresses ICE Raids:
"I don't care if you're a Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative. No one wants to see children ripped away from their children, parents ripped away from their children, and that ought to stop right now," Schumer said. "In previous raids, that has happened. Everyone agrees, if someone's a hardened criminal, a bank robber, a sexual abuser, they shouldn't be here, but the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking people who just want to make a better life. And the idea of ripping them apart from their parents is a very bad idea, and that is what will happen in these raids, inevitably."
President Donald Trump has said the raids are focused on deporting criminals, including MS-13 gang members.
Protesters gathered in Battery Park on Saturday and in Queens on Sunday to denounce the raids.
"We will fight your right to remain at home because you are home in this city, New York City," Anthony Enriquez, with Catholic Charities Community Services, said.
RELATED STORY: Hispanic Communities In New York , New Jersey Preparing For Impending ICE Raids
On Saturday, de Blasio tweeted he had received "reports of attempted but reportedly unsuccessful ICE enforcement actions in Sunset Park and Harlem."
Receiving reports of attempted but reportedly unsuccessful ICE enforcement actions in Sunset Park and Harlem.@NYCImmigrants and advocates are connecting with residents and distributing resources door to door.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 13, 2019
Remember: you have rights. Call 311 and say ActionNYC for help. pic.twitter.com/OZwpxlm30d
The mayor is urging concerned residents to call 311 to receive free immigration legal help.