Officials in the affluent Long Island village of East Hampton, where median property values stand at $2 million, have declared they will not cooperate with immigration authorities conducting deportation efforts under the Trump administration, according to the New York Post.
During a Tuesday community meeting between village and town leaders and residents, East Hampton Village Police Chief Jeffry Erickson stated that local law enforcement lacks the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and will not honor ICE detainers. “If it is an ICE detainer or an administrative warrant, we do not have the authority, we will not hold them,” Erickson said.
At a separate meeting, East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo echoed Erickson’s remarks, stating, “If it is an ICE detainer or an administrative warrant, we do not have the authority, we will not hold them.” Sarlo also noted that he has not seen ICE agents operating in East Hampton for a long time. He further emphasized, “The only way any of my officers could ever enforce federal immigration law is if they were deputized. The town board would not allow any of our officers to be deputized.”
Sarlo underscored the separation between local and federal law enforcement responsibilities, explaining, “People who wear this and put this on don’t interfere with other people who wear this and put this on because then people die. You don’t step in front of an immigration enforcement officer in uniform with a gun and a badge who’s taking his action.” He added that immigration enforcement should be handled by attorneys and state-level policies.
Some residents support the town’s stance. Alex Lovett told News12, “I think it’s a very good idea and very helpful considering we have a very large community here, and people rely on them.” She added, “They’ve been a vital part of the community for a very long time.”
