Public Advocate Jumaane Williams held a rally at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center surrounded by immigration activists on Friday morning.
Neighbors in the Norwood section of the Bronx talked about their friends, neighbors and other community members impacted by what a new audit shows to be an increase of enforcement action.
Supporters shared their support of Mayor Zohran Mamdani directing city agencies to do more to protect immigrant populations -- particularly after they say numerous detentions have occurred in their neighborhood recently.
It comes as the city on Friday released an audit that shows a 71% increase in immigration enforcement action during the second Trump administration.
Specifically, the report says more than 5,500 people were detained by ICE agents between January 20, 2025 and March 10, 2026 -- and more than half of those were at 26 Federal Plaza, the immigration court building in Lower Manhattan where many protests have taken place.
The report also showed an alleged targeting of city shelters.
So now, among other new procedures, Mayor Mamdani is directing NYPD officers to notify leadership and legal executives to every 911 call reporting the presence of immigration authorities.
Williams spoke on why he feels this policy and more is necessary.
"It just really goes to show what's happening across the country," Williams said. "And folks should not be afraid in New York City, of all places. And they are."
Eyewitness News has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for their response to the audit and is still awaiting a response.
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