Judge Blocks Adams' Plan for Immigration Agents at Rikers Jail

Immigrant advocacy groups have called for a halt to inhumane conditions at a Baltimore ICE facility, citing prolonged detentions, overcrowding, lack of medical staff, and inadequate food services, following a class action lawsuit that secured the suspension of deportation for two women detained there. Meanwhile, in New York City, a judge blocked Mayor Eric Adams' executive order to allow federal immigration authorities, including ICE, to reopen an office at the Rikers Island jail, amid allegations of a quid pro quo deal with the Trump administration to dismiss his corruption case. The judge found sufficient evidence that the mayor publicly agreed to ICE's return to Rikers in exchange for dismissal of his criminal charges, citing statements from federal border officials as corroboration. Adams has denied any such deal and delegated the decision to his deputy mayor, Randy Mastro, but the judge ruled Mastro could not act impartially due to his reporting to Adams. City lawmakers' lawsuit and the judge's preliminary injunction represent a significant legal obstacle to the mayor's plan, with Adams' administration confident of eventual success in court. These developments highlight ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding immigration enforcement practices and political accountability in major U.S. cities.