Judge Orders New York City to Give ICE Shelter Data

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ruled Friday that New York City must comply with a federal subpoena from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking the names and birth dates of homeless men at a Bronx shelter. The ruling enforces an administrative subpoena served in August 2025, aimed at identifying undocumented residents subject to deportation, specifically those with certain serious criminal histories.

The administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani blocked the request, arguing it was a fishing expedition designed to undermine the city's sanctuary laws. Judge Kaplan rejected this argument, stating the city failed to prove that producing the list would be unduly burdensome. To protect privacy, the court approved the appointment of a special master to filter the data, ensuring ICE only receives information on residents accused of violent crimes.

Mayor Mamdani has remained opposed to ICE operations in New York City, citing the devastation caused by the agency and a recent incident where an immigration officer shot and wounded a Dominican national. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that her office is reviewing the possibility of an appeal. The city has two weeks to develop a plan for delivering the information.