(WNY News Now) -Yates County – An arraignment in Yates County reignited the debate surrounding immigration policies as an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic faces charges of possessing forged instruments, underscoring tensions between federal and state directives.
In Penn Yan, New York, local officials found themselves in a contentious situation this morning during the arraignment of an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic who stands accused of a Class D Felony for possession of forged instruments. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was in possession of a Federal Homeland Security Detainer, yet New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ guidance from 2020 prevented local authorities from holding him.
The guidance, which has sparked widespread debate, outlines several restrictions on the extent to which state and local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Among the stipulations are prohibitions against re-arresting individuals based on administrative detainers from ICE after a case is resolved, delaying release when sentences are complete or bail is posted, extending detentions during roadside stops, and stopping individuals solely on suspicion of civil immigration violations.
Critics of this guidance, including Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, argue that it compromises public safety and hampers law enforcement efforts to protect communities. Tenney asserts that the policies of the Biden administration, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James create an environment where dangerous criminal illegal immigrants are released back into communities despite federal detainers. She points to staffing shortages at the Northern Border and the ongoing crisis at the southern border as exacerbating factors, expressing concern that future criminal illegal immigrants may evade detection and contribute to the rising crime rates in New York.
Tenney calls for legislative action, urging Senator Schumer to take up the Laken Riley Act, which would mandate the detention of individuals with Homeland Security detainers. Additionally, she calls on Governor Hochul and Attorney General James to repeal the controversial guidance and prioritize accountability for criminals and illegal immigrants.
“Under Joe Biden, Kathy Hochul, and Letitia James, every NY-24 community is a border community. Coupled with their dangerous pro-criminal Bail Reform, New York State Democrats are now trying to release dangerous criminal illegal immigrants back into our community despite having a Homeland Security detainer. This reckless, dangerous guidance makes our communities less safe and further hampers law enforcement’s ability to protect New Yorkers. Thank goodness for our dedicated Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who were able to arrest this dangerous criminal before his release. Detaining criminal illegal immigrants is the only way to prevent another American citizen from being killed by an illegal, like Laken Riley. With record staffing shortages at the Northern Border and the ongoing Biden Border Crisis, I am fearful future criminal illegal aliens will slip through the cracks and fuel the ongoing crime surge in New York. I am calling on Senator Schumer to take up the Laken Riley Act, which would ensure that illegals with Homeland Security detainers are actually detained. I am also calling on Kathy Hochul and Letitia James to immediately repeal this misguided rule and hold criminals and illegal immigrants accountable,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
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