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DOC says no active negotiations after executive order; council seeks clarity on ICE, federal monitor and litigation implications
Summary
DOC told Council members it is not currently negotiating to host ICE operations on Rikers Island and that prior discussions were superseded by an executive order and ensuing litigation; Council asked DOC to provide a list of staff who participated in earlier conversations and asked whether budget planning has accounted for a court‑appointed remediation manager.
Council members pressed DOC about recent federal developments, ICE engagement and court supervision over jail conditions.
Deputy DOC officials told the committees they were not currently negotiating to host Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations on Rikers Island and said a prior round of internal conversations preceded an executive order and subsequent litigation. "Regarding that, we can't comment on negotiations," a senior DOC official said, adding that because the matter is in litigation there are limits on what DOC can disclose publicly. The department committed to providing a follow‑up list identifying DOC staff who were present in prior meetings and the dates of any discussions.
Separately, council members asked whether the department had budgeted for an independent remediation manager. Chief U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain ordered the appointment of a court‑supervised remediation manager in a recent decision linked to ongoing civil litigation over jail conditions. DOC said there had been no conversations with OMB about how costs for a remediation manager would be covered and said the topic touched on active litigation.
Why it matters: Council members said they need clarity about what communications DOC had with federal agencies, and whether the city has accounted for potential remediation costs ordered by the court. DOC asked for time to follow up on details the committee requested.
Ending: DOC said it will provide details in follow‑up, and council members signaled they expect to review any budget or operational implications of federal litigation and monitoring.
