Immigrant Defense Project (IDP)
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immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Immigrant Defense Project (IDP)
@immdefenseproject.bsky.social
110 followers 30 following 37 posts
Working to secure fairness and justice for immigrants.
🔗 immigrantdefenseproject.org
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immdefenseproject.bsky.social
As ICE continues targeting communities across the U.S., remember these tips and your rights when documenting or sharing ICE activity you come across. 🗣️ And remember: Everyone has rights during an encounter with ICE – regardless of immigration status. Learn them at immigrantdefenseproject.org/kyr
November 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
It may be spooky season, but we're not falling for the Trump admin's fearmongering and ICE's ghoulish violence towards our communities 👻

#Boo #ICEOut
October 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Today is National Immigrants Day, but we know the fight for immigrant justice is a daily struggle. From exercising your rights to advocating for legislation to protect immigrant communities, everyone has a role in the fight for justice.

✨ What's yours?
October 28, 2025 at 6:11 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Outrage is important, but action is critical. New York has opportunities to ACT NOW in the face of the federal admin's abuses of power
✔️ Pass the New York for All Act #NY4All
✔️ Pass the NYC Trust Act #ICEOutNYC
✔️ Use governor clemency powers for pardons and commutations #ClemencyNow
October 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
IIRIRA laid the foundation for our current situation, using any contact with the criminal legal system as a basis for detention and deportation - often mandatory. It justified criminalizing immigrants, stripped them of their basic rights, and vastly increased the # of people facing deportation.
September 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Today marks 29 years since then-president Clinton signed IIRIRA into law. The US has operated a mass deportation machine for decades and it can be traced to two laws: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) 🧵
September 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
@immdefenseproject.bsky.social: “Together we are clear and unequivocal: our city’s historic sanctuary laws ensure that the rights of New Yorkers are protected and that our city resources help all New Yorkers thrive.”
“We applaud the court for striking down the Mayor’s attack on sanctuary, which sought to return ICE to Rikers Island and give them free reign to target New Yorkers, and we are grateful for the leadership of our City Council and the Speaker who stood up for our values as a city,” said Yasmine Farhang, Executive Director of the Immigrant Defense Project. “To roll back the clock a decade would have fueled a severe abuse of power against New Yorkers – especially Black, Latinx and other immigrants of color – at the same time that the violence, abuse and mismanagement at Rikers worsens daily. Together we are clear and unequivocal: our city’s historic sanctuary laws ensure that the rights of New Yorkers are protected and that our city resources help all New Yorkers thrive.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Families for Freedom: “However, it is crucial to acknowledge that conditions at Rikers Island continue to worsen. As a native New Yorker with immigrant roots, we believe that freedom in New York means everyone should feel safe, regardless of where they were born."
“We are thrilled by the victory striking down May​or Adams’ attack on sanctuary policies, which sought to return ICE to Rikers Island. The City Council and the Speaker have upheld the values of New York City, standing firmly against the targeting of Black, Brown immigrants and other immigrants of color. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that conditions at Rikers Island continue to worsen. As a native New Yorker with immigrant roots, we believe that freedom in New York means everyone should feel safe, regardless of where they were born,” said Janay Cauthen, Executive Director of Families for Freedom.
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
@thenyic.bsky.social: “...the NYS Supreme Court has offered a vital degree of protection for our immigrant neighbors. Thousands of NYers will no longer face the prospect of detention and deportation because they were sent to Rikers after being simply accused – not convicted – of a crime.”
“The Mayor’s attempt to bring ICE back to Rikers Island has failed. By declaring the Mayoral Administration’s executive order to re-open an ICE office at Rikers ‘null and void,’ the NYS Supreme Court has offered a vital degree of protection for our immigrant neighbors. Thousands of New Yorkers will no longer face the prospect of detention and deportation because they were sent to Rikers after being simply accused – not convicted – of a crime. New York City must never collude with the Federal Administration’s mass deportation agenda, and our Mayor should be ensuring that every New Yorker has their due process rights protected. We commend the NYS Supreme Court, Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Council and the people of New York for continuing to stand up for our immigrant neighbors,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
@katalcenter.org: "We hail this ruling; instead of working with ICE to further criminalize immigrants, the Mayor should be working to shut down the deadly jail complex and protect all New Yorkers.”
“Early this year, Mayor Adams sold out immigrant New Yorkers by attempting to allow ICE to reopen an office at Rikers Island, in a quid pro quo with President Trump to get his corruption charges dropped. This was a shameless attempt to help the Trump Administration carry out its mass criminalization and deportation agenda for the mayor’s selfish benefits,” said Melanie Dominguez, organizing director for the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice. “Yesterday, Justice Mary V. Rosado ruled that the Mayor’s Executive Order to allow immigration authorities into Rikers Island presented a conflict of interest and was outright illegal. We hail this ruling; instead of working with ICE to further criminalize immigrants, the Mayor should be working to shut down the deadly jail complex and protect all New Yorkers.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
The Bronx Defenders: “With this ruling, the court shut the door on this politically motivated and entirely baseless attempt to strengthen the arrest-to-deportation pipeline in New York City."
“With this ruling, the court shut the door on this politically motivated and entirely baseless attempt to strengthen the arrest-to-deportation pipeline in New York City,” said Rosa Cohen-Cruz, Director of Immigration Policy at The Bronx Defenders. “We commend the Speaker, New York City Council, and the Public Advocate for swiftly and courageously standing up for our sanctuary policies, which have kept New Yorkers safe and advanced justice for all.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
@legalaidnyc.bsky.social: “The Executive Order was a clear violation of New York City’s sanctuary protections and would have opened the door to racial profiling, wrongful deportations, and constitutional violations by ICE on Rikers Island.”
“This ruling is a critical victory for all New Yorkers and a rejection of the federal government’s mass deportation agenda, and of the Adams administration’s unlawful and dangerous Executive Order 50,” said Meghna Philip, Director of the Special Litigation Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “The Executive Order was a clear violation of New York City’s sanctuary protections and would have opened the door to racial profiling, wrongful deportations, and constitutional violations by ICE on Rikers Island. The court’s decision ensures that ICE stays out of New York City jails and that our sanctuary city laws are upheld.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
@maketheroadny.bsky.social: “This decision is a victory that we should never have had to win in the first place. Allowing ICE presence at Rikers would have opened the doors to further terrorizing immigrant New Yorkers and encouraged the current administration’s mass deportation plans"
“This decision is a victory that we should never have had to win in the first place. Allowing ICE presence at Rikers would have opened the doors to further terrorizing immigrant New Yorkers and encouraged the current administration’s mass deportation plans,” said Natalia Aristizabal, Deputy Director at Make the Road New York. “We applaud the NYS Supreme Court’s decision to stand with immigrant New Yorkers in this critical moment. We also commend the Speaker, the City Council, and Public Advocate for their strong leadership against the Mayor’s attempt to circumvent the law, potentially putting thousands of people at risk and instilling more fear in our communities. We will continue to fight to prevent our communities from being criminalized and placed in deportation proceedings in New York, and shut down Rikers once and for all.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Full statement can be found here: www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/community-or...
Screenshot of the press release without organizational statements "New York — Today the ICE Out! NYC Coalition, the Shut Rikers campaign, The New York City Anti-Violence Project and allies applauded Judge Rosado’s court order in New York Supreme Court striking down Mayor Adams’s attack on sanctuary, Executive Order 50. In April, the Adams administration made good on the Mayor’s threat to return ICE to operate on Rikers Island by entering an executive order establishing federal law enforcement space at Rikers, including for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This came after multiple meetings between the Mayor and Tom Homan, the “border czar” charged with carrying out Trump’s mass deportation agenda. ​Rikers Island has a long and documented history of violence, abuse, and mismanagement. Under Mayor Adams, the conditions at Rikers have worsened, and at least 45 people have died in NYC jails. In the last two weeks, three incarcerated people have died at Rikers. Instead of cozying up to Trump and attacking immigrants, the Mayor of the City of New York should be working to protect immigrants and shut down Rikers once and for all. We are grateful for the leadership and action of our City Council and the Speaker, who stood up for our values as a city and stood against the Mayor’s plan to give ICE free rein to separate New Yorkers from their loved ones. To roll back the clock a decade would have fueled an unprecedented abuse of power against New Yorkers – especially Black, Latinx, other immigrants of color, and the LGBTQ community – at the same time that the violence, abuse and mismanagement at Rikers worsens daily. We came together across sectors to make it clear that we stand with our city’s historic sanctuary laws and that New York City must never collude in the federal mass deportation agenda. Instead we must stand up for our immigrant neighbors and focus on action that ensures that all New Yorkers can thrive."
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
🚨NEW: Community Orgs, Advocates Celebrate Court Order Blocking Mayor’s Attempt to Bring ICE Back to Rikers: "We're grateful for @council.nyc.gov @nycspeakeradams.bsky.social who stood up for our values and against the Mayor’s plan to give ICE free rein to separate New Yorkers from loved ones."
Title reads "ICE Out! NYC Coalition, the Shut Rikers campaign, The New York City Anti-Violence Project and allies applauded Judge Rosado’s court order in New York Supreme Court striking down Mayor Adams’s attack on sanctuary, Executive Order 50" "In April 2025, the Adams administration made good on the Mayor’s threat to return ICE to operate on Rikers Island by entering an executive order establishing federal law enforcement space at Rikers, including for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This came after multiple meetings between the Mayor and Tom Homan, the “border czar” charged with carrying out Trump’s mass deportation agenda." On the left are screenshots of news articles about Homan's visit with Adams. "Rikers Island has a long and documented history of violence, abuse, and mismanagement." Below this text are screenshots of news article headlines that highlight the violence, abuse, and mismanagement. "Under Mayor Adams, the conditions at Rikers have worsened, and at least 45 people have died in NYC jails. In the last two weeks, three incarcerated people have died at Rikers. Instead of cozying up to Trump and attacking immigrants, the Mayor of the City of New York should be working to protect immigrants and shut down Rikers once and for all."
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
🚨 STATEMENT: IDP applauds court order striking down Mayor Eric Adams' attack on sanctuary. "Together we are clear and unequivocal: our city’s historic sanctuary laws ensure that the rights of New Yorkers are protected and that our city resources help all New Yorkers thrive." https://t.co/k1w3hmV8Kc
IDP Applauds Court Order Striking Down Mayor Adams' Attack on Sanctuary Today, Judge Mary Rosado of New York Supreme Court declared that the Mayor Adams administration’s Executive Order 50, which sought to return ICE to operate on Rikers Island and which was challenged by the New York City Council, is null and void. We applaud this decision and are thankful for the quick action and leadership of our City Council and the Speaker who stood up for our values as a city, and stood against the Mayor’s plan to give ICE free reign to separate New Yorkers from their loved ones. To roll back the clock a decade would have fueled unprecedented abuse of power against New Yorkers – especially Black, Latinx and other immigrants of color - at the same time that the violence, abuse and mismanagement at Rikers worsens daily. We are proud that organizations working with domestic violence survivors and LGBTQ New Yorkers, for civil rights and immigrant justice, built a strong coalition that rallied,
September 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
Everyone deserves safety + dignity no matter where they live or where their family is from. For over 20 yrs, we've worked to secure fairness and justice for immigrants. Get our Know Your Rights resources to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community 💬 immigrantdefenseproject.org/kyr
September 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
We are all worth more than just our labor, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't appreciate immigrant labor! Fight for immigrant rights #LaborDay and beyond, because labor justice is directly tied to immigrant justice 💪
September 2, 2025 at 8:39 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
NEW: Broad coalition of 70+ orgs applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for granting pardons for 13 New Yorkers and urge her to use her clemency power in these urgent times amidst Trump's anti-immigrant deportation agenda: www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/70-organizat...
Snippet from the letter: "We are now in a moment of daily abduction of immigrant New Yorkers by masked federal agents who funnel our community members to prolonged detention and, as you noted, deportation without due process including to third countries and far away prisons known for egregious human rights violations. We also are watching the continued ongoing humanitarian crisis in the New York state prison system, where medical neglect and denial of basic dignity must be addressed with urgency." Snippet from the letter: "As these harms continue to unfold, you can be the beacon of hope that New Yorkers need in a time where courage and leadership are most needed to protect the most vulnerable. As in Sammy’s case and many others seeking pardons, you are their last line of defense against Trump’s cruel practices, and often the last hope for New Yorkers suffering in the ongoing state prison system humanitarian crisis. We implore you to see in these New Yorkers what others will not: their dignity and humanity."
August 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
🖊️ Signatories include @velazquez.house.gov, @ocasio-cortez.house.gov, @meng.house.gov, @repyvetteclarke.bsky.social, @nadler.house.gov, @repespaillat.bsky.social, @repglatimer.bsky.social and @repritchie.bsky.social
Names of the signatories listed out: Grace Meng, NY-6 Nydia Velazquez, NY-7 Yvette D. Clarke, NY-9 Jerrold Nadler, NY-12 Adriano Espaillat, NY-13 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14 Ritchie Torres, NY-15 George Latimer, NY-16 Paul Tonko, NY-20
June 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
NEW: 9 members of the New York Congressional delegation urge state lawmakers to pass #NY4All and protect New Yorkers: "We cannot stand idly by while our constituents and colleagues are ensnared by the Trump Administration’s mass deportation dragnet."
www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/members-of-c...
Bold text reads, "NY Congressmembers urge New York State legislators to pass the New York for All Act" Photos of the nine members in black and white are collaged at the bottom, below the text, and two are above the text. Quote from letter: "As the Trump Administration's onslaught of attacks on immigrant communities intensifies by the day, we unequivocally express our support for the New York for All Act (“NY4All”) and call on the state legislature to pass it immediately this session. We implore the New York State Legislature to reject Trump’s efforts to scapegoat our most vulnerable neighbors as a pretense for dismantling our core democratic institutions. At the same time, we are committed to protecting New York against efforts to take away federal funding for critical services in retaliation for opposing this administration’s policies.”
June 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
immdefenseproject.bsky.social
🚨 We demand the IMMEDIATE release of Mahmoud Khalil and denounce federal attacks on constitutional free speech. His abduction's a shocking constitutional violation designed to terrorize pple exercising the most basic Constitutional rights to freedom of expression in advocating for Palestinian rights
March 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM