Residents and lawmakers press county to protect immigrant residents after ICE pickup; calls for clear communications
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Summary
Multiple public commenters and legislators discussed the recent ICE arrest of a local resident, urged protection of undocumented community members under Tompkins County's sanctuary policy, and asked for clearer communications between the sheriff's office, jail and federal agencies.
A string of public comments and legislator remarks at the Tompkins County Legislature's Feb. 4 meeting centered on a recent immigration enforcement action that drew community concern and prompted calls to reaffirm local sanctuary protections.
Lynn Jackier read a letter signed by more than 260 Tompkins County residents urging leaders and municipalities to resist what she called a "mass deportation" effort, to provide legal representation and to refuse cooperation with federal actions that target undocumented community members. "Visible dissent dispels the climate of fear," Jackier said.
Zach Wynne asked the legislature to clarify communication among federal immigration agents, the county jail and the sheriff's office after the arrest of an individual identified in the meeting as Jesus Hernandez; Wynne said Hernandez had previously been deported multiple times and was held at the Tompkins County Jail after an incident in 2023. He asked whether the county followed its 2017 public-safety resolution (often described in the meeting as the county's sanctuary policy) and requested a public explanation of what communication did or did not take place.
Several legislators and public speakers supported the county's existing sanctuary stance. Ruth Yarrow said she was "glad I live in a city and a county that has a sanctuary status," and other legislators (including Mike Lane and Shauna Black) urged calm, transparent official communications and reiterated the county's legal guidance to staff on how to respond if federal agents appear on site.
County Attorney Maureen Josephson summarized the legal context: federal court judges have issued temporary restraining orders affecting an OMB memo that paused federal financial assistance, and departments are inventorying federally supported programs in case funding is restricted. On immigration guidance, Josephson said the sheriff's office acted consistently with state Attorney General and Sheriff's Association guidance, that there was no interference with federal enforcement, and that ICE had the opportunity to pick up the individual when he left the jail, according to the county's account.
Speakers repeatedly urged careful wording and accurate timetags when sharing possible sightings or reports of federal agents to avoid spreading misinformation; Legislator Veronica Pillar recommended that community posts include precise times and, when unconfirmed, be labeled as "unconfirmed/hearsay." Several speakers said they planned and expected public rallies on the Commons.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: the county administrator and department heads are compiling inventories of federally funded programs, county attorneys will be available to review warrants when departments have questions, and legislators encouraged staff to provide clarifying guidance to the public when possible.