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Residents urge Southampton to adopt local law to bar police cooperation with ICE and increase transparency
Summary
Speakers during public portion urged the town to pass an East End Public Safety and Accountability Law to prohibit local police cooperation with ICE and expand transparency; the board said the town attorney is drafting language for consideration.
During the public portion of the meeting, several residents urged the Southampton Town Board to consider local legislation that would bar or further restrict coordination between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and increase transparency around immigration-enforcement interactions.
Sandra Dunn of Hampton Bays described local ICE activity and cited national custody statistics, arguing that a local law would reassure immigrant residents and reduce fear that is discouraging people from accessing services. “Having this codified in law would be so important,” Dunn said, urging the board to place the measure on an agenda and vote.
Supervisor Moore and other board members said town staff and the town attorney are working on draft language. A board member noted that the state was considering a law that could prohibit local police from entering into certain ICE agreements, and staff said the town is drafting a local ordinance in coordination with community advocates and legal counsel.
Andrea Code, speaking by Zoom, voiced support and urged prompt action. Board members encouraged continued dialogue with advocates and said they expect to review draft language from the town attorney in a future meeting.
