New York, NY – In a show of unity, Councilmembers Susan Zhuang and Farah Louis mobilized New York City Councilmembers from across the political spectrum and immigrant advocacy organizations today to condemn the Trump Administration’s mass deportation tactics—including expedited removal and courthouse ambush arrests.

As an immigrant, Councilmember Zhuang knows the fear immigrants already live with daily but for those who don’t understand, she encourages them to think about the economic turmoil mass deportations create — which are well documented throughout American history.

“America using immigrants for cheap labor and then hating them is a move older than the dial-up phone,” said Councilmember Susan Zhuang. “America used Chinese immigrants to build the Transcontinental Railroad and then passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, preventing them from entering America and from working. The Bracero Program recruited Mexican immigrant workers and then deported them in masses. The slave trade forced black immigrants into American to run our economy with slave labor, and then America created Jim Crow Laws. All of this hurt our economy, decreasing wages, tax revenue, and slowed economic growth. America does this over and over again and expects different outcomes – that’s the definition of insanity.”

Councilmember Zhuang partnered with Councilmember Farah Louis quickly to bring these representatives and community leaders together.

“President Trump’s racist travel bans and mass deportation tactics are a direct attack on our values as New Yorkers and as Americans,” said Council Member Farah N. Louis. “These policies separate families, target the innocent, and criminalize entire communities. As immigrants and allies speak out, it is our duty to protect their rights and preserve New York City as a true sanctuary. We will not be intimidated. We will continue to fight for justice, dignity, and due process for all.”

The Legal Aid Society Immigration Law Unit joined calling out ICE’s expanding authority to detain individuals without due process and without warning.

“The Legal Aid Society strongly condemns ICE’s practice of ambushing and detaining New Yorkers at mandatory immigration court hearings and check-ins. This is a cruel tactic that undermines due process, spreads fear in immigrant communities, and needlessly tears families apart,” said Deborah Lee, Attorney-in-Charge of the Immigration Law Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “These individuals are following the rules and are not flight risks; targeting them is a betrayal of public trust. We are also alarmed by reports of overcrowding, extreme heat, and migrants sleeping on the floor at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building’s detention facility. The Trump administration must end these arrests, ensure due process, and address the abuse and neglect occurring inside immigration detention centers.“

Representing NYC Council districts with distinctive constituents, City Hall steps were lined with councilmembers including Sandra Ung, Chris Banks, Nantasha Williams, Mercedes Narcisse, Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Julie Menin, and Crystal Hudson. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined as well.

“Xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric have no place in our society, yet in recent years we’ve seen a troubling rise in voices that reject our diversity and blame immigrants for every challenge our country faces,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “This dangerous rhetoric has sparked real fear in immigrant families about whether it’s safe to go to the store, to send their children to school, or if this country will still welcome them as they seek to build a better life. When we stay silent, we allow resentment, fear, and hate to grow, no matter how baseless the lies spread by the White House or others may be. When we speak out together as my colleagues and I are doing on the steps of City Hall, we protect our neighbors and the values that define us.”

Other organizations standing with the Councilmembers included Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, National Domestic Workers Alliance, United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, Haitians United for Progress, Homecrest Community Services, and Better Brooklyn Association.

“The Jewish story in New York is, at its core, an immigrant story. We would not have the largest Jewish population outside of Israel without the courage and sacrifices of our ancestors who came here seeking a better life. As the child of immigrants, I understand the many challenges of starting over in a new place. Our immigrant communities are the heart of what makes New York the vibrant and interconnected city we love,” said Jewish Community Relations Council of New York CEO Mark Treyger. “JCRC-NY stands with immigrant New Yorkers in the face of these horrific attacks that are tearing families apart and spreading fear among our neighbors. We will continue working alongside government and community partners to ensure that all New Yorkers can live in safety and dignity.”

This moment in history is unifying all New Yorkers from different backgrounds and cultures to stand with immigrants.