After years of violence, mismanagement, and neglect, a federal judge finally pulled the plug on New York City’s control over its infamous jail complex.
On May 13, the judge appointed a court-backed manager to clean up the mess.
It wasn’t a suggestion—it was an order. The city is officially sidelined.
Now comes the next chapter.
Reports are swirling that former ICE Director Tom Homan wants to put the newly federal-controlled facility to use in a way New York’s leadership would have never allowed.
His plan? Use Rikers as a detention center for illegal immigrants.
Not just those with violent records. All of them.
#BREAKING: The U.S. government has now SEIZED CONTROL of the notorious Rikers Island Prison from NYC
Tom Homan has said he plans on filling it up with illegals.
“I want EVERY illegal. I don’t care if you’re booked for shoplifting. You’re going to Rikers Island,” Homan said… pic.twitter.com/TALxpeHxfe
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 13, 2025
Back in February, Homan made his position clear. Anyone who crosses the border illegally should be detained, full stop.
No special treatment. No free passes because you committed a “less serious” offense.
This kind of zero-tolerance approach is a direct challenge to New York City’s long-standing sanctuary city policies.
For years, the city turned its back on federal immigration law, refusing to cooperate with ICE, even when dealing with violent offenders.
Now, after years of ignoring federal warnings—and frankly, the law itself—New York may have handed the Trump administration an opening it never would have had otherwise.
Supporters of the move say it’s about time.
For too long, they argue, sanctuary cities have put politics above public safety. Communities across the country are paying the price, especially those near the border.
In 2023 alone, over 2.4 million illegal border crossings were recorded.
That’s not sustainable, and the effects are showing up everywhere—from overburdened schools to rising crime.
Homan and his allies see Rikers as a ready-made solution. It’s already a high-security facility, and now that the city’s out of the way, it could play a key role in cracking down on illegal immigration.
Civil rights groups and progressive politicians are already threatening lawsuits. They claim it’s federal overreach and accuse the Trump team of stoking fear to score political points.
Let’s be honest. Nobody likes the idea of the federal government stepping into local affairs. Conservatives, especially, value local control.
But there’s a line.
When local leaders refuse to enforce basic laws—or can’t even keep their own jails from becoming war zones—then it’s no longer just a local issue. It becomes a national one.
That’s where we are now.
The situation at Rikers is a cautionary tale. It shows what happens when political virtue-signaling replaces common sense, and it’s why many see this federal intervention not as an overreach, but as a long-overdue correction.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
