QUEENS, NY – Borough President Melinda Katz stated the following in response to questions about news reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were present yesterday at the Queens County Criminal Courts seeking a young woman in the Human Trafficking Intervention Courtroom:

“Trafficked sex workers are exploited victims, not criminals. The double victimization of these women is extremely troubling and unacceptable. The presence of ICE agents at the courts severely disrupts and obstructs justice. Courthouses should be treated as sensitive locations, similar to schools, hospitals and places of worship, and as called for by Chief Judge DiFiore.”