Blakeman: Nassau will comply with ban on ICE partnerships

Key Points:

• Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced compliance with a new New York state law banning local partnership agreements with ICE, following subpoenas from the state attorney general and threats of legal action from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
• The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act prohibits local officials from questioning individuals solely on immigration status without a federal warrant and restricts ICE access to sensitive locations, but does not block cooperation on criminal matters.
• Blakeman, a vocal supporter of ICE agreements and gubernatorial candidate opposing Hochul, expressed regret over the law, citing concerns it would increase danger in Nassau County, but affirmed his commitment to follow the law.
• Nassau County had active ICE agreements since 2017, involving deputized police detectives and jail holds for immigrants, which supporters say helped remove criminals, though critics argue many detainees lacked violent convictions and that the policy harmed immigrant communities.
• A federal lawsuit challenging the law has been filed by 15 county sheriffs, with Nassau's acting sheriff directed to join; activists warn against informal ICE cooperation, which the county executive says will cease in compliance with the law.