In a bold stance against recent legislation, Bruce Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County, reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the county’s cooperation with ICE. This move likely sets the stage for a significant legal confrontation with Governor Kathy Hochul’s newly enacted sanctuary state laws.
Blakeman, who is also the Republican candidate for governor, made it clear that despite Hochul’s actions, his stance remains unchanged. On Wednesday, Governor Hochul ratified a series of measures passed by Democratic lawmakers, which are among the most comprehensive anti-ICE policies nationwide.
Expressing his disapproval, Blakeman condemned the developments in Albany as a “disgrace to the people of this state,” speaking passionately outside the state capitol.
The new laws restrict local law enforcement from engaging with federal immigration authorities without a judicial order in most situations, marking a significant shift in policy.
Following the signing of the legislative package, Blakeman now faces a 90-day deadline to dissolve his county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement. This partnership currently allows ICE to utilize space within Nassau County’s jail facilities.
Blakeman criticized the policy shift as “insane,” arguing that it removes a critical tool for law enforcement to pursue dangerous criminal migrants, thereby undermining public safety efforts.
“We will take them to court,” he said, noting that sheriffs around the state have contacted him looking to join in any legal effort challenging the law.
Hochul, speaking with reporters after a separate event celebrating the state budget deal that the sanctuary measures were tucked into, brushed aside Blakeman’s legal threats.
“I’m proud to lean into this. I’m not walking away from what I’m doing here,” Hochul said, unconcerned that Albany Dems’ move could backfire come November’s election.
“My job is to protect people, but also not to allow the continued harassment that has occurred under the Trump administration. So it’s got nothing to do with elections, because I’m not running away from this issue,” she said.
Whether the state takes legal action against municipalities like Nassau that refuse to comply will be up to a new Office of Immigrant Trust under the auspices of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
But just how prescriptive the policy is in restricting local cops is still a grey area.
Hochul seemed to indicate Thursday that it would indeed bar a cop from calling ICE if they believe they have custody of someone in the country illegally without charging them for a crime.
“If they’re simply trying to assist in civil immigration enforcement, they should not be worried about calling ICE,” Hochul said.
