Mayor Ryan Issues Executive Order Prohibiting City Participating In Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement

Mayor Sean Ryan

BUFFALO, N.Y. — May or Sean M. Ryan today issued his first executive order, formally prohibiting the use of City of Buffalo personnel or resources for federal civil immigration enforcement and reaffirming the City’s longstanding commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and legal protections of all residents, regardless of immigration status or country of origin.

The executive order applies to all city departments and codifies exist ing practices already followed by the City of Buffalo. It makes clear that federal civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, while preserving the City’s ability to cooperate with criminal law enforcement and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

“ICE is creating fear and confusion across the county—including among U.S. citizens and other people who are here legally—and that fear is undermining public safety,” Mayor Ryan said. “This executive order makes clear that the City of Buffalo will not participate in federal civil immigration enforcement, so that no one is afraid to report a crime, call the fire department, or walk into City Hall for help. Anyone who lives in Buffalo has a right to our services, and our city government will never be used to intimidate or target residents.”

The order prohibits city personnel, funds, and resources from being used for federal civil immigration enforcement; bars City employees from collecting immigration status information except where required by law; limits access to non-public City facilities absent a valid judicial warrant; and directs departments to protect due process rights for individuals in City custody. It also requires annual reporting to the Mayor on requests from federal civil immigration authorities and mandates department-level training and implementation.

Importantly, the executive order does not affect the City’s ability to enforce criminal laws or assist with criminal investigations. The City will continue to honor judicial warrants, arrest individuals accused of violent crimes, and comply with all legal obligations.

The executive order takes effect immediately.