New York Note: ICE Raids Upstate, Adams Considers Options, Hochul Expands Vaccine Access, Subway Crime Falls

Federal Immigration Raid in Upstate New York Sparks Backlash

Following a raid last Thursday at a Cayuga County food processing plant that resulted in the detention of 57 workers, the largest immigration action in New York State this year, Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone announced that federal immigration enforcement operations will continue to expand across upstate. Most of those detained face civil immigration charges, while five were charged with illegal reentry. The raid temporarily halted production and drew sharp criticism from Governor Kathy Hochul and immigrant advocates, who condemned family separations, including six mothers with infants under one year old. Sarcone defended the action as protecting jobs for “hardworking, able-bodied Americans,” while immigrant advocates described the arrests as indiscriminate and damaging to long-established communities. The announcement came one day after the U.S. Supreme Court paused limits on immigration profiling in Los Angeles, a decision that could set precedent for enforcement practices nationwide.

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Adams Floats Possibility of Dropping Out

Just a week after publicly reaffirming his commitment to seek reelection, Mayor Eric Adams signaled a change in tone at a closed-door meeting on Wednesday. According to attendees, Adams suggested he may consider abandoning his campaign if private polling shows he cannot win, raising concerns about playing a spoiler role that could help Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, whom he described as a risk to the city. He also indicated that his dislike of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, would not outweigh what he views as his duty to New York. While Adams emphasized that he intends to continue campaigning, his comments marked his most explicit acknowledgment yet that he is weighing an exit. Campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro disputed that Adams alluded to leaving, but confirmed the mayor plans to conduct independent polling before making any final decision.

Governor Hochul Expands Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Last Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order making it easier for New Yorkers to access COVID-19 vaccines in light of recent federal restrictions. The FDA’s updated guidance requires Americans under 65 to obtain a prescription for boosters, but Hochul’s order authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and administer the vaccine in a single visit. The governor framed the move as a rejection of federal policy, arguing it undermines public health and creates unnecessary barriers. The order also ensures coverage by Medicaid and private insurance, with waivers available for patients without underlying conditions. State Health Commissioner James McDonald said the change “restores” the status quo for access, and Hochul emphasized the policy is a temporary emergency measure until the Legislature can pass it into law.

Historic Drop in Subway Crime Marks Safest Summer Yet

Governor Hochul announced that New York City’s subway system experienced record-low crime this summer, with overall transit crime down nearly 10 percent compared to 2024 and 16.8 percent compared to 2019. Between June 1 and August 31, more than 311 million rides were taken, a 9 percent increase in ridership, while felony assaults declined by 21 percent year-over-year, from 150 to 119. On average, there were just 0.38 assaults per one million riders this summer. Accounting for higher ridership, major crimes occurred at a rate of 1.59 per million rides, a 30 percent drop from 2022 and now in line with pre-pandemic lows. Hochul credited expanded overnight police deployments, the rollout of Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams, and major infrastructure upgrades, including more than 32,000 security cameras and new lighting, for the historic reductions.

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