East Hampton Town Officials Speak On Trump's Mass Deportation Order

EAST HAMPTON, NY — After President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the mass deportation of immigrants who are in the country without proper documentation, East Hampton town officials have issued a statement.

Town officials said that Trump's order, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," states: "It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, particularly those aliens who threaten the safety or security of the American people. Further, it is the policy of the United States to achieve the total and efficient enforcement of those laws, including through lawful incentives and detention capabilities."

The town's statement read: "As policies at the federal level continue to evolve, the Town of East Hampton and the East Hampton Town Police Department remain committed to protecting public safety and addressing violent crime by focusing resources on those who pose clear threats to our community, such as repeat DWI offenders, violent criminals, and sex offenders."

The EHTPD has a duty to cooperate with federal and state enforcement agents to ensure the safety and security of the community while remaining steadfast in treating all residents with fairness and dignity," recognizing that immigrants are vital to the strength, character, and success of our community," officials said.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has made efforts in the past to seek out repeat offenders, violent offenders, and those with warrants in the East Hampton community and have safely and lawfully apprehended them, "and that will continue," officials said. "The EHTPD has received no further federal or state guidance regarding new policies or procedures and has no information regarding ICE activity."

However, town officials noted that EHTPD policies have been guided by New York State law and the decision in "People ex rel. Wells v. Demarco", (2018), which determined that ICE detainers alone are not legally sufficient to justify detention. Those policies have been in place for years, and the recent executive order does not alter or impact the way the EHTPD operates, officials said.

"In accordance with New York State law, the EHTPD does not detain or hold anyone on an ICE 'detainer,' but requires a federal warrant signed by a judge. As the recent suit against the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office cites those specific state guidelines, New York has deemed a detainer to not be sufficient," officials said.

Town officials added that there is no means for local law enforcement to determine anyone's citizenship status, nor is the EHTPD allowed to inquire about their status. Arrest processing requires mandatory entry of biographical information into federal databases, which all federal law enforcement agencies have access to, and that is the only avenue federal authorities have to access any local department's information, officials said.

"If you make a report, are the victim of a crime, or are involved in an incident, there is no means for a local police department to access your status and in turn, no means to share your information with any federal agency," town officials said. "The EHTPD wants to ensure victims of crime that they are secure in coming forward and make it clear that the EHTPD is not inquiring as to anyone's citizenship status. The EHTPD will continue to collaborate with local advocacy groups to ensure this is clear and look to maintain a level of trust with our community."

The EHTPD and town officials are in the process of attending meetings with local advocacy groups, clergy, and school districts to clarify the role of local law enforcement and will continue to foster an open dialogue regarding community safety and law enforcement, officials said.

"We will continue to work closely with local organizations to support community well-being, build trust, and ensure that all residents have access to resources that contribute to a safe and thriving town. By prioritizing public safety and human dignity, we strive to create a strong, united community where everyone is safe and valued," officials said.