Brooklyn has made historic gains in public safety. In 2025, the borough recorded its fewest homicides and shootings ever, with a homicide rate lower than Vermont’s recent statewide numbers and lower than every state in the South. Those gains came from a proven strategy: strong accountability for people who commit violence, relentless focus on the small number of individuals driving the most serious crime and sustained community engagement to break cycles of violence before they claim more victims.
But our continued progress depends on trust. When people believe the justice system will protect them and treat them fairly, they report crimes, cooperate with investigations and testify in court. When they fear that asking for help or assisting law enforcement as a witness could expose them or their families to deportation without due process, many stay silent. Violent offenders count on that silence, and public safety suffers.
That is why New York lawmakers must act. State leaders are considering legislation that would keep local law enforcement focused on crime rather than civil immigration enforcement – ensuring that defendants who have harmed New Yorkers remain here to face justice, while protecting victims and witnesses who come forward regardless of immigration status. To investigate and prosecute crimes, it is critical for local police, prosecutors and federal authorities to work together. But the law should draw a clear line: local law enforcement should never enforce civil immigration law or allow victims and witnesses to be turned into targets for civil immigration arrests…