Southold, Riverhead officials: Our police won't ask about immigration status amid stepped-up ICE enforcement

Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski speaks during the community session Thursday night at the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic. Credit: Newsday / Steve Pfost
As the federal government steps up immigration enforcement actions, two East End towns are reassuring residents that their police departments do not plan to get involved in immigration-related issues.
Both Riverhead and Southold towns released memos highlighting long-standing policies to not ask about immigration status but pledged to provide support through "peacekeeping or traffic control" if asked by a federal agency.
Southold Police Chief Steven Grattan said immigrants in the community "don't have to fear" town police officers.
"We are not concerned with their immigration status," Grattan told a group of more than 200 residents, activists, business owners and educators who packed a forum at the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic on Thursday night.
Town officials planned the session to quell community fears after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders toughening immigration policy, including mass deportation plans.
The forum came as stepped-up raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have sparked concern and confusion in immigrant communities on Long Island, in New York City and across the country. It also came days after Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard released a letter addressing federal immigration actions which said that although the town police department cannot legally carry out deportations, Riverhead "stands firmly" behind Trump’s deportation plans.
Riverhead and Southold officials said they were not aware of any ICE enforcement actions in recent days.

The crowd listens during the forum in Peconic Thursday night. Credit: Newsday / Steve Pfost
A vineyard employee from Southold who attended the forum said the threat of deportation has sparked a panic.
"People have stayed home," said the employee, whom Newsday is not identifying. "Rumors get started. We all know people who are in fear, who live in fear because of that. And more so now."
Among the questions at the forum: What is the course of action if ICE agents knock on the front door? How can residents protect neighbors living here illegally from deportation? Does Southold or local schools have protocols for handling potential visits from ICE?
Grattan said federal agencies typically do not warn local departments of raids ahead of time. If they did, the police chief added, "I think it would also create hysteria."
The police department is "fully committed" to treating anyone in Southold with "dignity" regardless of their immigration status, Grattan said.
Shawn Petretti, the superintendent of Mattituck-Cutchogue schools, said the district would seek credentials, warrants and an opinion from legal counsel before proceeding if ICE agents showed up at school facilities.
Southold policy ensures victims of crimes or witnesses can report incidents or seek help from police without fear of immigration consequences, Town Supervisor Al Krupski said at the forum.
"If you need police help, if you're a resident or you're visiting, you should call the police to get help, period," Krupski said in an interview. "It's their job to help everyone who's here."
Immigrant advocates distributed "know your rights" cards for people to show if stopped by immigration officers, explaining the person's wish to remain silent and speak with an attorney.
Osman Canales, of Mastic, the founder of Long Island Immigrant Student Advocates, said he was grateful to have questions answered and said accurate information is necessary.
"People are in panic right now, and we're trying to do our best to provide information," Canales said.
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