Nassau County officials have committed to proceeding with a plan to collaborate with ICE on behalf of ten detectives, despite a new lawsuit asserting that this action contradicts the state’s sanctuary policy.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R) expressed that he isn’t concerned by the lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, asserting that their efforts will continue undeterred.
“We will firmly defend our right to work with ICE,” Blakeman stated on Wednesday outside the county council.
He added, “We’re confident that all actions taken to protect our community are legal and properly sanctioned.”
The NYCLU, along with various immigration rights organizations, claims in their lawsuit that the arrangement between Nassau Police and ICE breaks state orders by enabling local officers to act as federal immigration agents.
This lawsuit marks a first in New York, challenging an agreement between the county and federal government while alleging it jeopardizes protections against unreasonable search and seizure.
It further contends that involving detectives in operations targeting undocumented individuals not only breaches state law but also encourages racial profiling through unwarranted stops and arrests.
A 2018 state court ruling referenced in the lawsuit determined that local police officers across New York cannot arrest immigrants at the request of ICE or other federal agencies.
Despite this ruling, which occurred shortly after President Trump took office, Blakeman announced that Nassau intends to be among the first counties in the nation to proceed with such initiatives.
Blakeman and other Long Island leaders have strengthened their cooperation with ICE amid protests calling for a halt to such partnerships from communities across both counties.
Although details on this secondary partnership with ICE are still being finalized, law enforcement in both Nassau and Suffolk have clarified that their assistance to federal officials would occur only on-site.
Officials have assured that while they will aid ICE when necessary, they won’t interrogate victims or witnesses about their immigration status, nor will ICE conduct raids at sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, or churches.
Blakeman emphasized there’s nothing to fear unless someone poses a threat to society, stating, “They only pursue criminals—those who have committed serious offenses—so there’s no reason for concern.”
Nonetheless, critics argue that the Trump administration’s immigration policies have overstepped their bounds.
U.S. lawmaker Tom Suozzi has reached out to Trump, advocating for the release of Fernando Mezia, a local bagel shop owner with no criminal record, who is well-regarded in the community.
In another instance, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, Elzon Remus, was temporarily detained by ICE agents during a traffic stop in Westbury.
