REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CALLS ON COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO DELAY
REMOVAL OF ICE LIAISON FROM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Nassau County Legislator John R. Ferretti, Jr and members of the Republican Majority called on County Executive Laura Curran to delay her decision to remove the liaison for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the Correctional Center. This move would end a 20-year relationship between Homeland Security/ICE and Nassau County at the facility.
“The ill-advised, unilateral decision by Laura Curran to evict ICE from the Nassau County Corrections facility is another example of her putting politics before public safety," said Legislator Ferretti. “As a member of the Public Safety Committee, I am calling on the County Executive to reverse her decision and allow time for a public hearing to be held on this matter of vital importance.”
“It is my understanding that the presence of ICE at the Correctional Center has allowed for a valuable exchange of information and cooperation between the federal government and county,” said Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello. “With foreign gangs, specifically MS-13, being a major safety threat for Nassau County residents, I am concerned as to the effect of ending that relationship. I ask the County Executive delay the removal of the ICE liaison until we can ensure the safety of Nassau County residents moving forward.”
The County Executive’s action is based off a recent court decision that would prevent local law enforcement agencies, including the Nassau County Correctional Center, from holding an inmate at the jail pursuant to an ICE detainer and administrative warrant. However, ICE argues that there are ways they can maintain a presence at the facility and not be in violation of the court decision.