Nassau County Police Granted Federal Authority to Arrest and Deport Illegal Criminal Migrants
Nassau County police have announced a groundbreaking agreement with the Trump administration that will grant them federal authority to help arrest and deport illegal criminal migrants. This partnership will see US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cross-designate 10 Nassau County detectives to enforce immigration law while carrying out their regular policing duties.
The 287(g) program allows ICE to delegate federal immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement agencies. In addition to this authority, Nassau County will receive federal funding to assist with immigration enforcement efforts in the region.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed his enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing the importance of removing illegal immigrants engaged in criminal activities from the community. He stated, “We don’t want illegal immigrants roaming around our community committing crimes. We don’t want them in our community.” Blakeman also highlighted the county’s commitment to locking up and deporting individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
As part of the agreement, Nassau County will detain suspected illegal immigrants for up to 72 hours and provide ICE with a permanent presence at the county jail. This collaboration marks a significant shift from the policies of the previous administration, which evicted ICE from the county jail.
Blakeman praised President Trump and border czar Tom Homan for their efforts to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration. He noted that ICE did not seek such cooperation during the Biden administration, highlighting the administration’s different approach to immigration enforcement.
Nassau County now stands as the largest police force in New York state, and one of the largest in the country, to be granted special powers to crack down on illegal immigration. Blakeman expressed his surprise at the reluctance of other local governments and police forces to participate in similar programs, emphasizing the importance of breaking up migrant gangs and theft rings that have plagued Long Island neighborhoods.
Overall, the agreement between Nassau County police and ICE represents a significant step towards enhancing public safety and addressing the criminal activities of illegal immigrants in the community. By working together to enforce immigration laws, both agencies aim to create a safer and more secure environment for residents of Nassau County.
