The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: Sanctuary Laws in NYC and NJ
Sep 22, 2025
Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and Daniel DiMartino, a Manhattan Institute fellow, engage in a lively debate on sanctuary laws in NYC and NJ. Torres highlights the importance of community trust while DiMartino raises concerns about public safety. They delve into the nuances of deportation policies, exploring the stances of mayoral candidates and the potential impact of New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive on local communities. Their discussion unveils the complexities and passionate opinions surrounding immigration policies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ICE's Role Shift Amplifies Local Caution
- Amy Torres frames ICE primarily as a civil and administrative agency that's been pushed into criminal enforcement roles.
- Sanctuary policies demand clearer federal standards before local cooperation to prevent overreach.
Detainers vs. Local Release Is Central Tension
- Daniel DiMartino emphasizes that sanctuary directives limit honoring ICE detainers even for people arrested for serious crimes.
- He argues this can allow repeat offenders to be released instead of transferred to federal custody.
Arrest ≠ Conviction, Torres Warns
- Amy Torres stresses the presumption of innocence: arrest is not conviction and immigration enforcement should not substitute for criminal justice.
- She warns that conflating arrests with guilt enables federal overreach and racial profiling.