Local sheriffs prepare for possible mass deportation effort
Dec 03, 2024
LYONS, N.Y. (WROC) — As a member of the National Sheriffs' Association's border security committee, Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby says there are active discussions right now between sheriffs and President-elect Donald Trump's team over potential changes to immigration policy.
Should Trump move ahead with his promised mass deportation of immigrants in the U.S. illegally, sheriffs might be called upon to help, even those well north of the southern border.
Right now, Milby says, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office does not enforce immigration statutes.
“We don't stop anyone based upon any type of suspicion over whether they're legal in this country,” Milby said. “We don't have immigration enforcement capabilities or powers. We have no desire, we've got enough going on in Wayne County as far as New York State laws, rules, regulations are concerned as well as local laws and rules.”
Milby adds Trump's team has not asked anything of his office to date nor has anything definitive come from those discussions at the national level, but he says he will be ready to hear out any requests.
“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but what I can tell you is that if our law enforcement brothers and sisters do come into Wayne County and they ask for assistance, immediate assistance, for something that's going on, we're certainly going to respond, but as far as going out and leading the charge on immigration issues, we don't have any plans to do that,” Milby said.
Peter Kehoe, executive director of the New York State Sheriffs' Association, told News 8 he is expecting more activity in the state when it comes to the enforcement of immigration laws and he anticipates sheriffs around the state will cooperate with federal law enforcement.
“Not necessarily devoting manpower to it, but if we have information to share, we'll share it,” he said.
For example, Kehoe said, if a sheriff's office is about to release from jail someone who does not have proper immigration documentation, the office could contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Asked whether he has received concerns from farmers worried about losing workers, Milby says he is more concerned about safety concerns saying illegal immigration, especially illegal immigration from the northern border, produces risks of terrorism, drug smuggling and child trafficking in our region.
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That said, he says he is not able to link border crossings to any crime pattern in Wayne County.
He adds neither he nor any other sheriff he has talked to wants to deny anyone the American Dream as long as the follow the rules and laws in order to enter the country.