Long Island officials reaffirm their opposition to sanctuary policies and pledge cooperation with federal immigration authorities, contrasting with other municipalities nationwide.

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have declared they are not sanctuary jurisdictions, dismissing activist protests claiming ICE’s recent immigration raids overreach their authority.

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder emphasized support for ICE, comparing their work to agencies like the DEA or FBI:

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Police in both counties said they would only assist ICE if explicitly requested, which has not yet happened, and affirmed that cooperation would exclude raids at schools, hospitals, or places of worship.

President Trump announced that a major enforcement initiative targeting sanctuary cities and Democrat-led states will take place, amid protests opposing the crackdown. Ryder assured that Nassau County would not conduct raids on sensitive locations and does not inquire about immigration status in routine cases.

Suffolk County officials echoed Nassau’s stance, citing adherence to established protocols despite a court ruling earlier this year that found their past cooperation with ICE violated legal standards. They stressed their commitment to safety without compromising legal rights.

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A court previously ruled Suffolk violated legal protections by holding detainees beyond their release dates at ICE’s requests during 2016-2018. Officials explained these individuals were detained on unrelated charges, with ICE failing to retrieve them promptly.

Earlier this month, tensions escalated after Elzon Lemus, a U.S. citizen, was briefly detained by ICE during a traffic stop in Westbury, with video evidence capturing the event.

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Protests demanding fair treatment and criticizing ICE’s tactics have taken place across the area, with Nassau County legislator Debra Mulé condemning what she describes as “indiscriminate ICE raids” endangering communities. County Executive Bruce Blakeman countered that resources should be directed toward removing illegal immigrants rather than prosecuting them for their immigration status, emphasizing cooperation with authorities for public safety.

The controversy surrounding ICE cooperation is intensifying, with ongoing legal challenges and public protests illustrating the division over local governments’ roles in federal immigration enforcement.

State authorities, including Attorney General Letitia James, have launched investigations into Nassau’s agreements with ICE, highlighting the complex legal and political landscape of immigration enforcement on Long Island.

Ryder maintained that Nassau County’s actions are aimed at doing what is right, while ICE declined to comment on the ongoing debates.