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Residents urge Steuben County Legislature to rescind 287(g) and ICE-related contracts
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the April 27 Steuben County Legislature meeting urged the body to rescind 287(g) and related agreements with ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service, citing legal, moral and fiscal concerns and referencing guidance from the New York State Attorney General's Office.
Dozens of residents used the meeting—s allotted public-comment time on April 27 to urge the Steuben County Legislature to end its cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Wayne Wells, identifying himself as a longtime resident, warned that recent federal actions threaten democratic norms and urged local officials to resist: "We need to take Trump seriously on this fix… the transfer of power occurs without bloodshed and violence." Linda Chiles told the legislature the 2025 agreement that would place county deputies under ICE supervision is a misuse of local resources and urged lawmakers to "please rescind all 2 87 g agreements with ICE before it's too late." Paul Wallen criticized the open-ended financial liability such agreements can create and said, "The 2 87 g agreement essentially turns Steuben County's police … into ICE agents, period."
Others echoed legal and humanitarian concerns. Karen Whalen cited reports of mistreatment and said state law counsel has warned local agencies may be at risk if they enter such contracts. John Brown and Bill Horstfall urged elected members to weigh the small taxable revenue against reputational and moral costs; Horstfall emphasized reviewing the evidence and moving toward termination of ICE-related contracts.
Speakers repeatedly invoked guidance from the New York State Attorney General's Office, which some commenters said advises local law enforcement against entering agreements with ICE because of state-law conflicts. The chair closed the public-comment period after the scheduled speakers completed their three-minute remarks. No formal motion to rescind any agreement was made during the April 27 meeting.
