The Legal Aid Society, New York County Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and Queens Defenders have issued formal notices invoking the constitutional rights of every client currently in, or who may be placed in, the custody of the New York City Department of Correction.

The move comes in response to the Adams Administration authorizing federal immigration officials to conduct criminal investigations at Rikers Island.

The letter reaffirms New Yorker’s rights, including that they do not consent to be questioned on any matters relating to immigration status, alienage, or immigration enforcement without counsel present.

“This executive order is a blatant and dangerous attempt to trample the constitutional rights owed to every person in this city, regardless of immigration status or incarceration,” said Tina Luongo, Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice at Legal Aid. “Our clients with open, pending criminal matters have constitutional rights that cannot be circumvented.

“We will fiercely defend them,” they continued. “We will not stand by as the City turns Rikers Island into a pipeline for the abhorrent federal immigration actions taking place. The Adams Administration must immediately rescind this order.”

Read Legal Aid’s full letter here.