In recent months, New York has seen a disturbing rise in abductions. During the same period, ICE agents in the state arrested 992 individuals — accounting for 49% of all immigration-related arrests nationwide this year — for civil immigration violations (The City, 7/14/2025). To make matters worse these abductions are being carried out by masked plainclothes ICE agents who often fail to identify themselves and use their anonymity as license to abuse people. These agents are targeting not only undocumented individuals—whom the current federal administration wrongly portrays as dangerous—but also profiles U.S. citizens and residents based on race, language, and perceived immigration status. These acts represent gross violations of human rights, constitutional protections, and existing state and city laws.

We, the people of New York—including the City of New York, its counties, and the greater New York area— in accordance with our First Amendment right to "peaceably assemble" and "petition the government for a redress of grievances," demand that the City and State of New York take immediate and decisive action against the growing presence and influence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

We the People Demand:

1. The immediate and permanent banning of ICE from public spaces—including but not limited to parks, playgrounds, and school grounds.

2. The protection of New Yorker's homes from warrantless ICE intrusions, in accordance with constitutional rights.

3. Full enforcement of New York City’s sanctuary laws and Protect Our Courts Act including the removal of ICE agents from:

• Schools

• Hospitals

• Homeless shelters

• Public transportation hubs

• Government offices

• Court buildings

4. Uphold of human rights laws protecting laws prohibiting the exploitation and discrimination of people based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin–– equal rights and protection for all!

This demand is not symbolic. It is grounded in legal precedent, policy commitments, and moral responsibility.

We call on Governor Hochul, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Mayor Eric Adams, Democratic Party mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, Jim Walden the DOE Chancellor, Parks Commissioners, Health + Hospitals leadership, NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) and all relevant city and state officials to answer clearly:

What is your plan to stop these abuses?

The time for fake lip service to democracy, grand standing, and inaction is over!

ACT NOW or WE WILL VOTE YOU OUT!!

To our fellow New Yorkers: This petition is only the beginning. Let us use this moment to educate one another, organize for long-term protection, and apply sustained pressure to ensure our communities are safe from racial terror and unchecked federal power.

The responsibility ultimately falls on us—the people—to keep one another safe.

We demand justice. We demand protection. We demand action. Keep NYC a sanctuary city!