Nassau County, New York, has embarked on a new initiative to address criminal activities involving illegal immigrants. County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enhance public safety. This collaboration involves embedding ten Nassau County detectives within ICE and dedicating space within the Nassau County Correctional Center to hold illegal immigrant criminals awaiting deportation.
This partnership marks a significant shift in policy, directly contrasting with previous sanctuary policies that limited cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE. Blakeman emphasized the importance of this change, stating it was "sorely needed" to improve the safety and well-being of Nassau County residents.
The initiative comes as a direct response to a request from ICE following Donald Trump's return to the presidency. Blakeman expressed strong support for ICE's mission and the importance of collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies. He believes this partnership will significantly enhance safety within the county.
Blakeman highlighted the challenges posed by the state's previous sanctuary policies, which hindered law enforcement's ability to address criminal illegal immigrants. He contrasted this with the current approach, which allows for the detention and deportation of individuals involved in criminal activities, ultimately contributing to a safer community. He cited instances of serious crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including the rape of a five-year-old girl and the influx of fentanyl, as justification for the new policy.
Blakeman criticized state officials for prioritizing the rights of criminals over victims and affirmed Nassau County's commitment to upholding federal law. He clarified that Nassau County officers will not be conducting immigration raids but will work with ICE to facilitate the deportation process. The procedure involves background checks upon arrest, and if an individual is found to be an illegal immigrant, ICE is notified to take custody.
Blakeman contrasted the current administration's approach to immigration enforcement with that of the previous Biden administration, which he claimed had effectively paralyzed ICE's ability to enforce immigration laws. He expressed his commitment to maintaining the partnership with ICE for as long as necessary to ensure the safety of Nassau County.
