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Islip board approves DHS firearms training at town range over vocal community opposition
Summary
After an hour of public comment, the Islip Town Board voted 4–1 to accept a DHS statement of work allowing federal law‑enforcement personnel to use the town’s pistol range for firearms qualification; several residents urged the board to end the contract, citing fears about ICE presence and community impact.
The Islip Town Board voted 4–1 to accept a statement of work from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security allowing DHS and other law‑enforcement agencies to use the town pistol and archery range for firearms qualification and training only.
The resolution — described by the supervisor as expressly limited to firearms qualifications and accompanied by a statement of work that forbids detention, processing, housing or other non‑training uses — drew sustained public opposition during the meeting’s public comment period. Multiple speakers said the presence of federal agents training locally fuels fear among immigrant communities and is inconsistent with the town’s stated commitments to inclusion.
Nicholas Ryan (speaker 11) told the board he sees the measure as a political statement that "legitimizes" federal immigration enforcement in town and warned it would chill participation among immigrant neighbors. "Any local resource that goes towards aiding ICE in any capacity is contributing to the discrimination and torture of minority groups," he said. Lauren Limmer (speaker 2), a 19‑year‑old student, urged the board to "end this contract today" and said the community’s schools are already feeling the effects of enforcement activity.
Supervisor remarks emphasized the stated limits in the statement of work and the presence of language intended to guarantee the range’s uses: "The statement of work... specified that the town's training facilities should not be used for detention, confinement, processing, transportation, housing, administrative operations, or any other non‑training governmental purpose," the supervisor said during the meeting. A council member thanked the town attorney for negotiating tightened language but acknowledged public concerns remained.
The motion was recorded as moved by Councilman McElwey with a second by Councilman Lorenzo; board minutes show the vote passed 4–1. The supervisor thanked staff and counsel for the contractual language that the board said was intended to limit non‑training uses.
What happens next: With the resolution approved, DHS and other named agencies may use the range for the limited training activities detailed in the statement of work; board members and speakers indicated they expect continued community oversight and follow‑up if any use appears to exceed those limits.
