A New York State Supreme Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing New York City Mayor Eric Adams from permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reopen operations at the Rikers Island jail complex.

LAWFARE: Democrat judge blocks NYC Mayor Adams from cooperating with ICE to remove TdA and MS-13 terrorists from Rikers Island and other New York City jails. Judge Mary Rosado worried the cooperation would open the floodgates for mass deportations at the city’s jails. pic.twitter.com/mPZjYUxXEN

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The order was issued by Judge Mary Rosado in response to a lawsuit filed by the New York City Council, which accuses Adams of overstepping his authority and alleges the mayor made a political agreement with President Donald Trump’s administration.

This is the judge that is blocking NY Mayor Eric Adams from coordinating with ICE to retrieve illegal alien CRIMINALS from Rikers Island.

Everyone, meet Judge Mary Rosado.

Let’s make her famous. pic.twitter.com/o20H2r9d8A

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The council claims Adams is cooperating with Trump’s deportation agenda in exchange for potential leniency in a separate federal corruption investigation.

Adams and his administration have denied the accusations.

The legal dispute centers on an executive order signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro on April 8, authorizing ICE to re-establish a presence at Rikers Island.

The council argues that Mastro does not have the authority to enact such a directive, and that Adams improperly delegated the responsibility to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

According to the Adams administration, the purpose of allowing ICE to return to Rikers is to facilitate the deportation of violent criminals who are in the country illegally, including individuals connected to gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.

The administration stated that there are no plans for civil immigration enforcement targeting non-criminal migrants.

In 2014, ICE ceased operations at Rikers Island after then-Mayor Bill de Blasio implemented sanctuary city policies that restricted cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Adams’ proposed policy would reverse that decision, at least in part.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is running in the Democratic primary for mayor, is leading the charge against the plan.

The lawsuit seeks to block the agreement between the city and federal immigration authorities, arguing that the proposed cooperation is both illegal and harmful to public safety.

Adams, who was previously seeking reelection as a Democrat, is now running as an Independent.

A spokesperson for Speaker Adams criticized the mayor’s proposal, saying, “Allowing ICE to operate an office on Rikers Island and carry out Trump’s destabilizing and extremist mass deportation agenda would make everyone in our city less safe.”

In response to the lawsuit, Judge Rosado’s order states: “City Hall and all other New York City government officials, officers, personnel and agencies are prohibited from taking any steps towards negotiating, signing or implementing any memoranda of understanding with the federal government regarding federal law enforcement presence on Department of Correction property.”

The restraining order remains in effect until a hearing scheduled for Friday, when Judge Rosado will determine whether to extend, modify, or lift the injunction.

The case underscores ongoing divisions within New York City’s leadership over immigration enforcement and public safety policy.

It also highlights broader political tensions as city officials debate how to balance cooperation with federal authorities against commitments to sanctuary city principles.

Mayor Adams’ administration continues to assert that the proposed policy is intended solely to address public safety concerns and ensure that individuals who commit serious crimes and are in the country illegally are removed.

As the legal proceedings continue, both sides await the outcome of Friday’s hearing, which could determine whether ICE will be permitted to resume its role at one of the city’s most secure detention facilities.

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