Residents urge Cayuga County legislature to adopt non-cooperation stance after ICE action

Several residents and local advocates used the public-comment period to press the Cayuga County Legislature to adopt a formal resolution of non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement following a recent ICE action in Cato.

Rebecca Revels (public commenter) called for a resolution stating that county employees "shall not use county monies, equipment, or personnel for the purpose of detecting or aggregating persons whose only violation of law is that they are in the U.S. in violation of federal immigration law." She argued the county should reaffirm commitment to due process and the rule of law even where the county cannot control federal enforcement decisions.

Andrew Simpkins (resident and former State Department official) said he was not advocating open borders but urged prosecutorial discretion for longtime residents who have established roots. He described meeting families affected by the recent raid and warned of harm done to children and the broader community.

Multiple speakers asked the legislature to follow neighboring counties that have passed similar non-cooperation measures. Speakers emphasized providing written consent forms in a detainee—s language before immigration interviews, ensuring counsel is present, and restricting the use of county facilities and resources for immigration investigations.

The transcript records the public pleas and clarifying questions from legislators; no formal resolution was adopted in the session recorded here. Several legislators acknowledged concerns and indicated the matter would be discussed further in future agenda items.

Next steps: proponents said they will continue to press the legislature to introduce and vote on a formal resolution of non-cooperation.