Public concerns and county guidance follow ICE arrest; lawmakers, attorney outline local policies

Several public speakers at the Feb. 4 Tompkins County Legislature meeting urged the county to protect immigrant residents and to clarify local policies after a recent arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement drew community protests.

Zach Wynne, a member of the public, described the arrest of Jesus Hernandez, said Hernandez had prior deportations and criminal convictions, and asked why he had been released from local custody before ICE took custody. Wynne urged the Legislature to make “an unequivocal statement condemning political violence and intimidation” after protests and counter‑protests followed the arrest.

Public commenters including Lynn Jackier and Ruth Yarrow urged visible dissent against federal deportation plans and expressed support for local sanctuary policies. Jackier read from a letter signed by more than 260 residents calling on local leaders and institutions to protect people targeted for deportation and to resist mass removals.

Legislator Shauna Black, speaking during legislator privilege of the floor, noted calls she received after a Jan. 28 federal memo and an ICE visit to the Department of Social Services. She reminded colleagues that the Legislature adopted a 2017 resolution “to maintain a safe, inclusive government and ensure protection, order, conduct, safety, health, and well‑being of all persons in Tompkins County,” and said staff have directives to follow that policy. Black said she is “apprehensive” about drawing more public attention that might endanger neighbors but stressed the county must be prepared.

County Attorney Maury Josephson addressed the meeting with a legal briefing on related federal developments. He summarized that an Office of Management and Budget memorandum (OMB M‑25‑13, as described in the briefing) pausing many federal financial assistance actions had been enjoined in two federal courts (temporary restraining orders in the District of Columbia and the District of Rhode Island). Josephson said department heads are inventorying federal‑funded programs and that officials should report any difficulty accessing funds immediately.

On immigration enforcement itself, Josephson said the sheriff’s office “acted consistently with law, consistently with guidance from the New York State Attorney General, and consistently with guidance from the New York State Sheriffs Association.” He added that the county issued guidance to employees on how to respond if approached by federal agents: stay calm, involve counsel and leadership, have the county attorney review warrants when in doubt, and do not physically interfere with law enforcement activities. Josephson emphasized the legal nuance that not all warrants are the same and that local authorities are not required under the Tenth Amendment to execute federal arrest warrants.

County Administrator Corso Acomphi said departments are collecting information on federally funded programs so the county can respond if access to funds is interrupted. He said the county is watching state and federal developments and preparing for possible impacts on local programs.

Speakers and legislators urged clearer public communications and recommended that anyone disseminating possible emergency information include time/date and whether the report is confirmed to reduce misinformation. Several legislators and commentators said they would prefer accurate, verified updates rather than quick unverified alerts.

No formal legislative action was taken on immigration policy at the Feb. 4 meeting; the county attorney and administrator said they would continue to monitor federal litigation and notify the Legislature of any material changes.