East Hampton Officials Reassure Residents on Immigration Law Enforcement Concerns

East Hampton government officials are working to alleviate the fears of wealthy residents regarding the potential deportation of illegal migrants from their affluent community, where many undocumented individuals serve as maids, landscapers, and nannies for local households.

During a special community meeting held on Tuesday, village leaders aimed to reassure Long Island's exclusive neighborhood, where the median property value is $2 million, that their hired help would not be targeted for deportation.

East Hampton Village Police Chief Jeffrey Erickson emphasized that local law enforcement does not possess the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and stated, "If it is an ICE detainer or an administrative warrant, we do not have the authority, we will not hold them," in response to a concerned resident.

East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo echoed Erickson's sentiments in a separate meeting, clarifying that the local police's interaction with ICE is limited to criminal matters. "I haven't seen an ICE agent in this town in I can't tell you how long," Sarlo remarked.

Sarcastically referencing his firearm, he cautioned against interfering with immigration officials, saying, "People who wear this and put this on don't interfere with other people who wear this... because then people die."

Some residents expressed their gratitude for the assurances from local officials, noting the importance of their undocumented employees and neighbors in the community. "I think it's a very good idea and very helpful considering we have a very large community here, and people rely on them," said resident Alex Lovett.

The officials stated that a significant goal of their messaging campaign is to encourage undocumented individuals to interact with police without fear of deportation. "If they're a victim of a crime, we want them to call us so we can protect them," Erickson explained.

Additionally, during a public hearing held the same day, members of the Latino community voiced concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies. East Hampton Village trustee Sandra Melendez, an immigration attorney, informed the community that they are not obliged to cooperate with ICE.

Councilwoman Cate Rogers emphasized the commitment of local officials to remain engaged with the community amid changing federal policies, stating, "The rules are being rewritten by the second... We're invested. We're your neighbors, and we're with you."

This stance taken by East Hampton officials contrasts sharply with actions in other parts of Long Island. Recently, Nassau County police were given permission to assist ICE in arresting illegal migrants under a new agreement with the Trump administration, which has drawn criticism from community members.