(TJV NEWS) New York City Mayor Eric Adams is standing firm in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pushing back against criticism from progressive voices who label the agency as abusive or illegitimate.

“ICE is not a criminal organization. It is a law enforcement agency,” Adams said during a press appearance, as reported by NBC4 New York. “I work with law enforcement to keep our city safe.”

ICE @ERONewYork and law enforcement partners arrest more than 200 alien offenders during enhanced immigration enforcement operation in New York
Link: https://t.co/0dASv9Sd0p pic.twitter.com/2lQ4VZnEqW

— ERO New York City (@ERONewYork) April 16, 2025

Adams’ comments come on the heels of a sweeping ICE operation that led to the arrest of 206 illegal immigrants across the New York City metro area—many of whom, ICE says, had committed “egregious” crimes since crossing the U.S. border unlawfully. The week-long initiative involved collaboration with other federal agencies and targeted some of the most violent offenders in high-crime neighborhoods.

“These were not low-level offenders,” said Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. “We arrested sex offenders, violent felons, and known drug traffickers. New York is safer today because of this operation.”

The mayor, who is currently campaigning for reelection, emphasized the need to differentiate between immigration enforcement and criminality. “There’s a narrative coming from parts of the far left that paints ICE as the villain. That’s simply false,” he told Fox News. “We must remove dangerous individuals from our communities.”

Of the 206 people taken into custody, 121 were convicted of or facing serious charges such as murder, assault, arson, rape, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses.

Notable arrests include:

• Adnan Paulino-Flores, 58, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a record that includes charges of sexual abuse involving a victim incapable of consent.

• Jaime Gustavo Quizpi-Romero, 51, from Ecuador, with prior arrests for violent assault using a weapon and for strangulation-related offenses.

“These individuals pose real threats to public safety,” said ICE’s New York Field Office Director. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting American communities from violent criminal aliens.”

Lyons echoed that sentiment: “ICE is unwavering in its mission to prioritize public safety. We will continue to pursue and remove the most dangerous individuals from neighborhoods across this country.”