Federal Congressman Dan Goldman has established himself as a strong defender of immigrant rights since ICE agents began detaining people in the hallways of immigration courts in 2025. As a result of these events, he has presented five bills to stop what he describes as an anti-American attack against New Yorkers.
In an interview with amNewYork, Goldman shared that her grandmother fled anti-Semitism in Russia and immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island.
“People have always sought refuge here from terrible conditions elsewhere, and that’s why they want to come pursue the American dream. The idea that this administration is trying to shut down immigration of all kinds, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of whether these people are being persecuted in their home countries, regardless of whether they follow the law or not, or whether they are children or not, is deeply offensive to me,” he said.
After nearly a year of detentions inside 26 Federal Plaza and 290 Broadway, a court filing revealed that ICE allegedly never had the authority to arrest immigrants in court, calling into question the legality of thousands of arrests and deportations.
“For almost a year, ICE has deliberately violated its own policy and the law by arresting immigrants in immigration courts, and then carried out a massive cover-up. Now that we know the truth – that thousands of ICE arrests across the country should never have occurred – those responsible must be held accountable. I have demanded a response from DHS and will ensure that this administration is held accountable for its reckless and illegal persecution of immigrants who try to comply with immigration laws,” he added.
Given this scenario, Goldman promoted several legislative initiatives to regulate and limit these practices. Among them, the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act, which proposes establishing an independent system of immigration courts under Article I of the Constitution.
The ICE OUT Act seeks to restrict the immunity of ICE agents, while the Immigration Court Due Process Protection Act aims to protect immigrants who follow legal processes and attend their mandatory hearings.
He also introduced the Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act, aimed at protecting unaccompanied immigrant minors, and the No Secret Police Act, which would prohibit officers from wearing masks during arrests.
Goldman stated that, although these initiatives have Democratic support, they have not received Republican support.
“I don’t believe a single Republican has sponsored one of these projects. They have abandoned their responsibility to oversee and are complicit in allowing the administration to terrorize our cities and our country. This affects not only immigrants, but entire communities, small businesses and schools, because people are afraid to even leave their homes,” he said.
The congressman also criticized what he considers a double standard in the use of masks.
“This administration was very tough on protesters wearing masks on college campuses, and then allows government agents to wear them. It’s totally hypocritical and absurd,” he said.
In addition to her legislative work, Goldman has worked with activist Fabian Arias of Saint Peter’s Church to create a support center within her office for families affected by ICE detentions. Thanks to this collaboration, about 30 people have been freed through legal action.
“We managed to coordinate a broader effort that supports families in traumatic situations and allows those who have been detained improperly or inhumanely to leave, reunite with their families and continue with their lives while they wait for the resolution of their asylum cases,” he explained. “It is gratifying to see families reunited.”
