As President-elect Trump prepares to take office in January, advocates in the city rallied against his support of mass deportations. They gathered outside City Hall Wednesday to demand more action by city officials — including Mayor Adams — to protect both new arrivals and long-time New Yorkers.

Community members, elected officials and immigrants-rights organizations honored the contributions of immigrants to the city. It’s part of a national call to action on International Migrants Day, a day recognized by the United Nations.

The rally was hosted by Make the Road New York — a grassroots organization that works to protect migrants.

“I was there during the dark days, when this city handed over thousands of its immigrant residents to ICE for deportation each year, under the Bush and the Obama administrations,” Alina Das, a professor at the NYU School of Law, said.

“We have members that have lived in New York City for over 20 years, that have had no interactions with law enforcement, that have kids here, they [the kids] are U.S. citizens, and hearing that potentially they might be deported,” said Luba Cortes, civil rights and immigration lead organizer at Make the Road N.Y.

Advocates say they’re worried about city leadership under Mayor Adams, and believe the mayor is turning his back on immigrants after a recent meeting he had with Trump’s border czar Tom Homan. Homan has not ruled out deporting entire families as part of Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

“It really concerned us that Mayor Adams would cozy up to the Trump Administration, and turn his back on immigrant New Yorkers,” Cortes said.

In an effort to educate the new arrivals about their rights, Make the Road launched a website in both Spanish and English.

“Everyone has a story, everyone came here looking for a better life and opportunities. Whether you came 20 years ago or whether you came last year, and so we wanna see the humanity and dignity in individuals, and really uplift that,” Cortes said.

Yasmine Farhang, advocacy director with the Immigrant Defense Project, also spoke at the rally. While New York City is a sanctuary city, she said she believes officials need to do more in the lead-up to Trump’s presidency.

“It’s a moment for our mayor and our City Council to step up, and protect protections that we have had for a long time, and to build upon them,” Farhang said.

The city has opened more than 200 sites to care for migrants, although some shelters are closing. The Adams administration says 15 migrant shelters across the city are going to close by March 2025.

Advocates are also hoping the City Council passes a bill that would allow immigrants to file suit against the city if city agencies detain people illegally — in cooperation with federal authorities. That bill is in committee.

NY1 reached out to the mayor’s office about Make the Road New York’s comments on him cozying up to Homan and the Trump administration but has not heard back yet.