Isabel Ortega Romero testifies on immigrant contributions and sanctuary compliance
Isabel Ortega Romero says New York City is home to 3.1 million immigrants who make up 38% of the population and paid $74.8 billion in taxes in 2024. She says immigrants live in fear and that the audit revealed many city agencies were not complying with sanctuary laws.
There we go.
Thank you, Chair Encarnacion and members of the committee for holding this hearing today.
My name is Isabel Ortega Romero, and I'm here representing the Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
New York City is home to 3.1 million immigrants, 38% of the city's population.
The city is built by immigrants.
Immigrants comprise 43% of our workforce, and in 2024 alone, immigrant New Yorkers paid $74.8 billion in taxes.
However, immigrants are far more than the labor they provide.
They are our neighbors, friends, community members and leaders, and family.
New York City is a sanctuary city, but its people are living in fear that going outside might lead to permanent separation from their loved ones.
ICE arrested more people this July than in any other month during President Trump's second term.
Recently, the administration's audit of city agencies revealed that many city agencies were not in compliance with sanctuary city laws.
We commend the mayor for conducting this audit and agree with its recommendations.
And we need more.
Meaningful and reliable oversight of agencies'compliance with sanctuary city laws must be independent and ongoing.
Because sanctuary city laws are only as strong as their enforcement, and allowing city agencies to unlawfully cooperate with ICE erodes trust in city government.