County Executive Bruce Blakeman says Nassau will comply with law banning ICE agreements
The law ends agreements that allowed some local agencies to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on civil immigration enforcement matters.
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced on Wednesday that the county would comply with a law banning agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"We have reviewed this law with the county attorneys, and we looked for every possible way not to comply with this law," Blakeman said at a news conference. "However, it was concluded that we would have to abide by the law."
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the measure is intended to allow local law enforcement agencies to focus on local crime, rather than assisting federal immigration authorities.
The law ends agreements that allowed some local agencies to work with ICE on civil immigration enforcement matters.
"Again, I'm very clear here for civil immigration enforcement," Hochul said. "This only continues to evoke fear on our streets. And our local cops will not be part of it."
At the press conference Wednesday, Blakeman said the county attorney sent a letter to ICE indicating that the county would comply with the law.
"This is one of the saddest days of my life as county executive, that because of this terrible and bad law that we have to adhere to, I know it’s going to make it more dangerous here in Nassau County," Blakeman said.
Blakeman said the county will continue to work with ICE like they do with other federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA and Secret Service.
Blakeman said he is directing the acting sheriff of Nassau County to join the lawsuit filed by other sheriffs from around the state to "overturn this disastrous law."
A spokesperson from the governor's office released the following statement:
"As the Governor has said from the start, counties do not get to pick and choose what laws they follow. Compliance will ensure that we are able to protect the rights of New Yorkers, keep local cops focused on local crimes, and make communities safer."
