News Updates Task Force Chair, Police Reps and Civil Rights Groups Unveil Legislation Outlining Process for Deputizing of Local Police as Federal Immigration Agents

For Immediate Release
Monday, December 7, 2004
Contact:
Guillermo Martinez - 518/455-5102
Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Dir. NYS Defenders Association – 518-465-3524
Mark Lewis, New York Immigration Coalition - 212-627-2227 ext 231
Jeff Frayler, President Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association – 631-563-4200

Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera, Other Elected Officials, Suffolk County Law Enforcement Representatives, the New York State Defenders Association, and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund want New York to Assert Policing Power Controls over Municipalities

ALBANY, NY ( 11/12/03) – Citing a huge array of problems that will be created if local governments are allowed to deputize their law enforcement personnel to enforce federal immigration laws, Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera, chairman of the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, representatives of law enforcement, other elected officials and immigrant advocacy groups are calling on New York State to assert its Constitutional policing powers by establishing a process by which municipalities must be authorized by the Legislature before it can deputize its police force.

“There is great concern that municipalities across New York will begin to see a patchwork of areas where police officers serve as federal immigration agents, thereby creating a chaotic situation for law enforcement. Residents of local communities may feel that reporting a crime, cooperating with police or serving as witness to crimes would place them in a situation where they could be deported or detained,” asserted Assemblyman Rivera. The legislation (A.11889) being unveiled today will go a long way toward dealing with this situation.

According to former Long Island police officer and now Assemblyman Philip A. Ramos (D –Brentwood), “Many police chiefs and police associations, as well as law enforcement experts from around the country have spoken out against expanded immigration enforcement powers for local police. They have declared that such a move would actually undermine public safety.”

“We wholeheartedly support this legislation put forward by Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. It is imperative, that the community have faith and trust in their police departments. In particular, those in our society who are most vulnerable need the protection of law enforcement,” stated Jeff Frayler, President of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. “Any initiative that creates an atmosphere of fear and distrust of police cannot be supported. This legislation…will go a long way to support and improve relations between police and the Hispanic community.

“According to Cesar A. Perales, President and General Counsel of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, “This bill if enacted would be an important amendment to New York’s General Municipal Law. Its purpose and effect would be to maintain the roles of local and state law enforcement by necessarily prohibiting municipalities from independently requiring or authorizing local peace officers or police officers to enforce federal immigration laws and regulations. Municipalities should not go it alone without the express statutory authority and accountability to our State Legislature.”