NYC councilwoman offers bill to shield migrant shelter locations from public, amid illegal migration crackdown

A New York City councilwoman has introduced legislation aimed at protecting the addresses of certain migrant shelters that serve new arrivals, amid heightened concerns over the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Councilwoman Julie Won, representing a portion of Queens, proposed the bill on Thursday. The legislation seeks to “prohibit any mayoral agency or office that operates emergency or temporary shelter facilities exclusively serving new arrivals from publicly disclosing the address or location,” Won explained in a post on Instagram. However, the locations would still be made public if required by law or if a warrant is issued.

Won emphasized the importance of safeguarding the privacy and dignity of migrants, particularly in light of the federal government’s increased crackdown on illegal immigration. “As the federal administration continues to promote policies targeting immigrants, it is our responsibility to protect the dignity and well-being of our newest neighbors,” she wrote. The councilwoman also underscored the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of newly arrived migrants, especially given the “political uncertainty and anxiety on the federal level.”

The proposal comes at a time when New York City Mayor Eric Adams has expressed his intention to collaborate with the Trump administration to address illegal immigration. On Thursday, Adams met with Border Czar Tom Homan, a key figure in the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Following their closed-door meeting, Adams announced plans to reopen the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office on Rikers Island. The move is intended to facilitate the deportation of individuals deemed “dangerous” illegal immigrants.

Homan, speaking alongside Adams on “Fox & Friends” on Friday, highlighted the significance of reopening the ICE office. “Getting back in Rikers Island is a game changer,” he said. “Not only do we get the bad guys really hitting the streets, but the intelligence of how [Tren de Aragua] operates, where they’re operating—all this intelligence they gather at Rikers Island, we have access to,” Homan explained. Adams also criticized what he described as misinformation spread by the “far left,” claiming that ICE is unfairly portrayed as targeting vulnerable populations. “They’re not in the business of just grabbing children,” Adams said. “We need to just stop all this noise.”

The new legislation and the mayor’s decision to reopen the ICE office reflect the broader debate over immigration policy in New York City and beyond. Won’s bill highlights the tension between local efforts to protect migrants and federal policies aimed at enforcing immigration laws. As the city navigates this complex landscape, the proposed legislation and the reopening of the ICE office represent two vastly different approaches to addressing the issue of illegal immigration.

Fox News Digital has reached out to both Adams’ and Won’s offices for further comment on the matter, but responses were not provided at the time of reporting. The proposed legislation and the mayor’s actions are likely to spark further debate in the coming days, as the city grapples with the challenges of balancing public safety, federal cooperation, and the protection of vulnerable populations.