Nassau County in New York’s Long Island suburbs is partnering with federal authorities in President Trump’s crackdown on immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally. County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican and Trump ally, announced that county police detectives will be granted authority to work with federal immigration agents to detain such individuals after being charged with other crimes. This collaboration, uncommon in New York due to state law restrictions, involves checking the immigration status of crime suspects and cooperating with ICE for their detainment.

Blakeman emphasizes that the focus is on illegal migrants who have committed crimes, not general raids. The initiative aligns with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, allowing state and local police to carry out specific immigration duties under ICE’s supervision. However, certain states and communities have imposed limitations on law enforcement’s collaboration with immigration authorities.

The decision faced criticism from advocacy groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union, citing concerns about public safety, community trust, and fear of deportation hindering crime reporting. On the other hand, ICE officials defend the partnership as targeting serious offenders. With an increasing immigrant population in Nassau County, the move reflects a conservative shift in local politics and concerns over bail laws allowing nonviolent offenders to roam free. This development poses a complex interplay between law enforcement, immigration enforcement, and community dynamics, highlighting the nuanced challenges in navigating immigration policies at the local level.