Is It Illegal for NYC Landlords to Threaten Tenants With ICE?

It is illegal under New York City law for a landlord to threaten a tenant with deportation or to report a tenant to immigration authorities as a coercive tactic. According to a Gothamist report published April 20, 2026, advocates say some NYC landlords are doing it anyway to force tenants out of rent stabilized apartments.

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What did the Gothamist report find?

According to Gothamist, landlords have threatened to report their own tenants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to force them out of rent stabilized apartments, to pressure them into accepting illegal rent increases, or to retaliate during ordinary disputes. The advocacy group Make the Road New York presented specific cases to the New York City Council at a public hearing. These are allegations presented at a hearing, not court findings.

What specific cases were presented?

In a November incident a Bushwick landlord allegedly told a tenant they had 10 days to vacate or the landlord would contact ICE, despite never starting formal eviction proceedings. In a December case a Queens landlord allegedly threatened the same action if the tenant did not pay an additional $1,000 per month. In a February incident an employee of a Brooklyn landlord allegedly threatened to contact immigration enforcement against an elderly tenant during a dispute over whether the apartment was properly registered as rent stabilized.

What does NYC law say about this?

Under the New York City Human Rights Law, administered by the NYC Commission on Human Rights, it is explicitly illegal for a landlord to threaten a tenant with deportation, to contact ICE as a coercive tactic, to require proof of citizenship as a rental requirement, to refuse to rent or renew a lease based on immigration status, or to retaliate against a tenant who complains about discrimination. These protections apply regardless of the tenant's actual immigration status. Similar protections exist under New York State Human Rights Law and Executive Law, as confirmed by the State Attorney General's published guidance.

Has the law been enforced?

Yes. In 2017 a New York City judge ordered a Queens landlord to pay $17,000 in combined fines and damages for threatening to report a tenant to ICE, and the landlord's appeal was dismissed.

Where can tenants file complaints, and do they have to open the door to ICE?

Tenants can file complaints with the NYC Commission on Human Rights, the Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force at HPD, or the New York State Attorney General's office. A tenant does not have to open the door to ICE agents without a warrant signed by a federal judge, and administrative warrants signed by ICE officers themselves do not grant the same right of entry under the Fourth Amendment.

What does this mean for Staten Island and Brooklyn tenants and landlords?

Two of the 3 cases presented to the Council involved Bushwick and Brooklyn landlords, and rent stabilized tenants in any borough are covered by the same city law. The coverage is about threats and coercion, and this report takes no position on federal immigration policy, which is set at the national level. Landlords who need to resolve a lease dispute still have lawful options through the courts, and either side with questions can consult an attorney. This is general information, not legal advice.

Questions about how this affects your home in Staten Island or Brooklyn? Work with Joseph Ranola, or text or call (917) 905-2541. New episodes of Daily Tesla News break down the NYC real estate stories that move the market.