House Judiciary Committee launches investigation of Tisch, Bragg and other NYC officials over sanctuary laws
The House Judiciary Committee opened a probe Wednesday into seven New York City officials over their alleged “refusal to cooperate” with the Trump administration’s immigration agenda because of so-called “sanctuary” policies.
Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Chairman Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) sent letters to all five city district attorneys, including Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Jr., along with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Department of Corrections Commissioner Stanley Richards, demanding enforcement records.
The lawmakers accused the officials of prioritizing “criminal and illegal aliens over American citizens,” saying it threatens public safety.
“From July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, NYCDOC honored less than 4% of detainers that ICE lodged during that timeframe,” they wrote to Richards. “During the same period, NYCDOC declined to honor detainers for nearly 1,000 criminal aliens.”
The committee said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have fueled opposition to ICE cooperation, while acknowledging state and local laws limit NYPD cooperation with immigration authorities.
“For years, New York’s sanctuary laws have prevented NYPD from complying with most ICE detainers,” they wrote to Tisch, noting NYPD may only honor detainers tied to judicial warrants involving violent or serious crimes or terrorism database matches.
Jordan and McClintock said most ICE detainer requests lodged with the city in early 2025 were ignored and none were honored during the Biden administration.
The lawmakers also accused Mayor Mamdani of further limiting police coordination with ICE and faulted Alvin Bragg for directing prosecutors to seek plea deals that avoid immigration consequences.
Staten Island DA Michael McMahon, Queens DA Melinda Katz, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez and Bronx DA Darcel Clark were also criticized for policies the Republicans said favored illegal immigrants, including special office units to protect migrants.
All seven offices were ordered to turn over immigration-related records and communications by June 10. Judiciary Republicans sent similar letters to officials in Boston and Denver.
