New York launches Legal Observation Project to monitor ICE enforcement

ICE 🗽New York field office issued directive on January 30, 2026 barring legal observers from within 25 yards of enforcement actions. The directive prohibited attorneys, advocates, and community monitors from getting close enough to observe arrests or document interactions between agents and detainees.

The LALegal Aid Society and IDImmigrant Defense Project had deployed legal observers since November 2025 to monitor ICE operations. These observers documented enforcement activities, provided legal assistance to detainees, and ensured that agents followed proper procedures during immigration arrests.

LALegal Aid Society filed First Amendment challenge on February 1, 2026 against the 25-yard restriction. The organization argued that the directive violated constitutional rights to observe government activities and provide legal assistance to people being arrested.

🗽New York Attorney General Letitia James opened investigation into ICE directive and potential constitutional violations. Her office examined whether the restriction violated state laws protecting legal observers and whether ICE exceeded its authority in limiting public access to enforcement operations.

Mayor Eric Adams condemned the restriction as undermining transparency and public trust. The Democratic mayor argued that legal observers help ensure accountability and that preventing their access to ICE operations could lead to abuses without oversight.

The 25-yard restriction applied to all ICE operations in 🗽New York City, including home raids, workplace enforcement, and street arrests. ICE officials said the restriction was necessary for officer safety and operational security, but provided no specific evidence of threats from legal observers.

Immigrant rights organizations coordinated rapid response teams to challenge the directive in court. They argued that the restriction was part of a broader pattern of ICE limiting oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

The directive came amid increased ICE enforcement in 🗽New York City, with more workplace raids and street arrests reported in January 2026. The increased enforcement coincided with the Trump administration focus on sanctuary cities and jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.