NYPD ignored 20,255 federal immigration detainers over eight years

The NYPD did not honor any federal immigration detainers during a recent eight-year period, according to a report released Monday.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans published the findings as part of an investigation into New York City sanctuary policies. The committee stated that police received 20,255 detainers between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2026. The report says the department honored zero of those requests. The New York City Department of Correction received nearly 3,000 detainers over the same timeframe. The committee stated that the department also honored none of them.

These detainers are requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking local authorities to hold specific individuals temporarily. The purpose is to allow federal officers to take custody of the person. They are not criminal convictions or judicial arrest warrants. New York City laws limit when municipal agencies may cooperate with federal civil immigration enforcement. Republicans on the committee argue these restrictions create public safety risks by preventing federal authorities from taking custody of individuals they seek to remove. Supporters of the city's policies maintain that local police should focus on criminal law enforcement. They also state that immigration cooperation must comply with legal protections.

The report has renewed debate over whether New York City should revise its approach to federal immigration requests. The findings were released on Monday. The report covers data from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2026.