Nassau County is actively moving ahead with plans to involve local police officers as agents for ICE. Officers are currently in training and are waiting for federal approval, having already transferred some arrests to ICE custody.
Despite a lawsuit from the New York Civil Liberties Union that was filed last month aiming to suspend this partnership, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman remains determined to proceed. He intends to have ten detectives handle responsibilities related to ICE and is currently awaiting authorization to assist in deportation efforts.
“We think that all actions taken to safeguard our community are lawful and have received proper approvals,” Blakeman remarked. He claims that residents of Nassau County largely support their association with ICE, particularly in dealing with criminals in their neighborhoods.
Detective Lt. Col. Scott Skrinecki mentioned that one officer has completed training but has not yet actively participated with federal operations. He indicated that it’s up to ICE to decide when to deploy that officer during operations.
Until now, Nassau police have refrained from actively aiding ICE in undertaking immigrant detentions or raids. However, they have signaled their willingness to assist if called upon. There have been preliminary steps in coordination, with police starting to hand over individuals to ICE since January after discovering their undocumented status during other arrests.
Blakeman first introduced this partnership in February, aiming to make Nassau County a leading police force nationally. He also seeks the necessary authority to work with ICE as one of 170 counties nationwide involved in such agreements.
Critics like the NYCLU argue that this partnership is illegal in New York and are advocating for state-level intervention. Senior attorney Amy Verser expressed concerns that this initiative allows local law enforcement to detain individuals at ICE’s request, which is against the law in New York.
Verser remarked, “While executives have certain clear, specific powers, detaining immigrants at ICE’s demand isn’t one of them.” The lawsuit challenges the agreement, claiming it undermines protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The suit argues that empowering detectives to target undocumented immigrants not only breaks state law but increases risks of racial profiling, allowing officers to stop and question individuals throughout the community.
A previous 2018 state court ruling deemed it illegal for local police anywhere in New York to detain immigrants on ICE’s behalf at the request of federal agencies.
After President Trump assumed office again, Blakeman still announced Nassau’s intention to be one of the first counties in the nation to adopt such a program.
Blakeman and other leaders from Long Island have reinforced their cooperation with ICE, even amid protests calling for an end to such arrangements.
This year, New York’s Attorney General Leticia James advised local police departments against engaging in this partnership, referring to the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to seize individuals based on their immigration status. Currently, the county’s agreement with ICE is inactive until federal agencies decide to proceed, but it seems Nassau is prepared to act once they receive the go-ahead.
If ICE approves the partnership, Nassau would not only become the largest police force in the country involved in this program, but also the sole police department in New York participating, despite facing significant legal challenges in a state known for its sanctuary policies.
ICE has not commented on the situation.
