“Under Executive Order 50, issued on April 8, 2025, Federal Authorities are now authorized to work in conjunction with NYC Correction Officer Investigators assigned to the Correction Intelligence Bureau (CIB) to investigate criminal activity on Rikers Island.
Our CIB unit is the best in the country and we have the utmost confidence in their ability to work professionally with our Federal partners to infiltrate violent gangs in our jails and remove violent criminals, who are here illegally, from our custody.
We also believe that collaborating with Federal Authorities will help us break up the gangs that drive not only the majority of violent crime in NYC, but also the majority of violent inmate assaults against Correction Officers. This partnership has the potential to invoke some of the much needed change on Rikers Island that will make our jails safer for everyone.
After multiple encouraging conversations, some with high ranking NYC officials and another with ICE chief Tom Homan directly, COBA is encouraged that this partnership will lead to more meaningful consequences for inmates that commit crimes against our Officers on Rikers Island. Meaningful consequences that function as true deterrents for violent crime are long overdue on Rikers Island.
Our Correction Officers worked with ICE agents when they were at Rikers Island from 2003 – 2015. The partnership was productive during that period and we are confident that it can be even more productive in today’s climate.
We fully support the legal immigration process, but if individuals come to our country illegally and have committed a violent crime, then Federal law enforcement agents should be permitted to do their jobs and our Correction Officers will work in conjunction with them to enhance safety and security in our jails.”
Benny Boscio
COBA President