'Abolish ICE': New Yorkers join with illegal immigrants to protest Biden's border measure

On Thursday, crowds of illegal immigrants and New Yorkers marched through New York City calling on Joe Biden to reverse an executive order he signed earlier this week aimed at tackling the crisis at the southern border. Protestors made their way from Herald Square on 34th and Broadway up to the Roosevelt Hotel on 45th and Madison, carrying signs and chanting, “Abolish ICE!” 

Biden's executive order, which went into effect immediately, prevents those who cross the border illegally from obtaining asylum in the United States when the number of crossings hits an average of 2,500 crossings a day. There are a number of exceptions, however, an over a million illegal immigrants will still be able to cross over per year.  

As Spectrum News reports, the event was organized in part by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Co-executive Director Nadia Marin-Molina said the messages being espoused by the protestors were not only aimed at the Biden administration, but elected officials and residents in the city as well. 

"This message is really also to our own community that we need to join and we need to fight back," she said. "None of these politicians are going to do anything unless they're pushed to." 

Many of those taking part chanted, "Abolish ICE." 

Marin-Molina's colleague, Worker's Rights Director Caleb Soto, echoed her sentiments. "We're here to say that immigrants are here to build this country," he said. "It's not possible to say New York City is somehow the greatest city in the world and say we have to wall it off to certain people." 

Local politicians such as Mayor Eric Adams have, however, came out in favor of Biden’s move on immigration. During a press conference earlier this week, Adams expressed his support for the executive order, declaring, "whatever could be done to slow the flow, give us resources, allow people to work. I'm all for [it]." 

New York City has been among the hardest hit by the crisis, with nearly 200,000 illegal immigrants now in its care after making their way up from the southern border. Adams has repeatedly warned that the unprecedented influx could "destroy" the city.