REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CALLS ON COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO DELAY
REMOVAL OF ICE LIAISON FROM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello 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.
“Our police officers, corrections officers, other members of law enforcement and the general public need to know that we are doing everything we can to keep them safe, which includes having a federal security presence at the Correctional Center.” said Legislator Denise Ford. “As Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, I am asking the County Executive to delay her request so that my committee has time to consider an alternative plan that does not potentially put the safety of our residents at risk.”
“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 Presiding Officer 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.