The sheriffs of several counties of the center of New York They have reaffirmed their commitment to comply with the State laws on immigrationwhile exploring additional mechanisms to collaborate with federal authorities, according to Central CNY.
The increase in the federal government pressure, headed by the former president Donald Trumphas led to local sheriffs reassessing their cooperation policies with the Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE). Although state laws in New York establish clear limits for the detention of undocumented immigrants, some officials seek legal alternatives to strengthen collaboration with federal authorities.
In this context, divergent positions between different New York counties stand out. While some Sheriffs insist on strict compliance with state regulations, others explore federal agreements that would allow greater participation in the application of immigration laws.
The Sheriff of County of Madison, Todd Hoodtogether with their counterparts of Cayuga and Onoondagadeclared that its main approach is to respect state laws, which prohibit the arrest of undocumented immigrants based exclusively on civil retention requests issued by the Immigration and Customs Control Service. The Sheriff of Onandaga, Toby Shelleyhe stressed that he will not stop individuals without an order signed by a federal judge, according to Central CNY.
The president of the New York state sheriffs association, James QuattroneHe emphasized that all Sheriffs must comply with the same legal regulations. “We cannot act on the basis of administrative orders; We must notify ICE when a person is to be released, but we cannot continue to stop it without due court order, ”he said according to Central CNY.
Estelle McKeeexpert in immigration law of the Cornell UniversityHe explained that even in the presence of a federal order, sheriffs have the power to decide whether or not to collaborate in the arrest of a person. According to Central CNYhe US Department of Justice It lacks legal foundations to undertake actions against the Sheriff of the County of Tompkins, Derek Osborneafter the release of an undocumented immigrant whose local cause for aggression had concluded.
The Sheriff Hood expressed interest in establishing a Agreement 287 (G) With ICE, a federal program that allows to train and authorize state and local officers so that they can exercise functions of immigration agents within local prisons. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office of the Rensselaer County It is the only in New York that has implemented this type of agreement, according to Ice.gov.
McKee He pointed out that agreements 287 (g) convert, into practice, local agents into ICE extensions, with the powers to identify, stop and process persons for violations of immigration laws, in accordance with Ice.gov.
For its part, the Sheriff of County of Cayuga, Brian SchenckIt is also evaluating the possibility of establishing a similar agreement, although he expressed concern that this may divert resources for the fight against local crime, according to Central CNY.
He US Department of Justice It has intensified its vigilance on jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Currently, he investigates the Sheriff Derek Osborne of the county of Tompkins for releasing an undocumented immigrant despite the existence of a federal arrest order. Local authorities argue that they informed ICE about liberation, but federal agents did not come in time to arrest, according to AP news.
In the county of Nassaulocal authorities have signed an agreement with the Trump administration that gives County detectives the authority to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities. This agreement allows the arrest of suspected illegal immigration for up to 72 hours and facilitates the continuous presence of ICE agents in local facilities, according to New York Post.
These agreements reflect a divergent trend in New York, where some counties seek to strengthen cooperation with ICE, while others strictly adhere to state laws that limit such collaboration. The Sheriff Hood He stressed that, although undocumented immigrants do not represent a significant percentage of crimes in Madison, it considers it important to allocate more resources to support ICE operations, according to Central CNY.
