The state law prohibits 287(g) agreements and similar arrangements using local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement, but does not prohibit local law enforcement from working with federal authorities on criminal investigations.
The protest came as immigration enforcement emerged as one of the central themes of Trump’s appearance inside the facility.
Blakeman told the crowd Nassau has what he called the most comprehensive agreement with ICE in the country and said the partnership had resulted in the removal of 2,000 migrants with criminal records in one year.
“In one year, we removed 2,000 illegal migrants with criminal records ranging from attempted murder, rape, murder, drug dealing,” Blakeman said during his remarks.
Blakeman also defended the agreement against criticism, saying Nassau carried out the removals without immigration raids at churches, daycare centers, schools or hospitals because county officials cooperated directly with federal authorities.