January 30, 2025 - American Public News

ITHACA, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested at least one person in Ithaca Thursday in the first known instance of federal immigration enforcement action in Tompkins County since President Donald Trump pledged to step up deportations of undocumented immigrants.Jesus Romero-Hernandez, 27, was arrested outside of the Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) building on West State Street. Eyewitnesses posted pictures of the arrest on social media. DSS staff members confirmed agents did not enter the building. The Ithaca Voice has not been able to confirm any other ICE activity in the county Thursday at this time, though other raids have been reported on social media. Witnesses said he was escorted by agents into an unmarked, grey SUV that arrived outside of the DSS office around 2 p.m. The United States Attorney’s Office released a statement hours after the arrest describing Romero-Hernandez as a “Mexican citizen” who had been in local custody after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor third-degree assault charge. Romero-Hernandez was released from the custody of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday after being sentenced to time served, according to federal prosecutors. Inmate records show Romero-Hernandez had been in custody in the Tompkins County Jail since Sept. 28, 2023, and was released from local custody Tuesday night.Federal prosecutors said he was charged in a criminal complaint on Jan. 8, 2024, with illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal.“The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office in Ithaca, NY, a self-described sanctuary city, appears to have failed to honor a valid federal arrest warrant for a criminal alien with an assault conviction,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said in the statement. “The Justice Department will not tolerate actions that endanger law enforcement and make their jobs harder than they already are, as they work to protect us all. We will use every tool at our disposal to prevent sanctuary city policies from impeding and obstructing lawful federal operations designed to make America safe again and end the national crisis arising from four years of failed immigration policy,” Bove said. A spokesperson for the New York State Police Troop C confirmed that state police “assisted ICE today” in an email, but could not give further details. Officials in Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca passed sanctuary jurisdiction legislation in 2017 in reaction to Trump’s increased threats of harsher immigration enforcement during his first term. The legislation directs local law enforcement to specifically not cooperate or assist with ICE operations inside the county. The city’s Common Council reiterated its sanctuary city status earlier this month. “The county is aware of the ICE activity and is fully investigating the circumstances,” a spokesperson for Tompkins County wrote in an email to The Ithaca Voice. “The public should be assured that the county continues to adhere to its long-standing policies concerning interaction with federal immigration authorities.”Ithaca Mayor Rob Cantelmo said in a statement that “the City of Ithaca has been made aware that federal law enforcement conducted operations in Ithaca today in connection with federal warrants.” Cantelmo said that the Ithaca Police Department followed Ithaca’s Sanctuary City policy and consulted with the City Attorney and the City Manager’s Office. “In accordance with city law, IPD officers did not participate in any immigration enforcement activities,” Cantelmo said.People looking to learn more about immigration rights and resources can consult with a variety of local and statewide organizations for legal services and education.The post ICE agents arrest at least one person during Thursday raids in Ithaca appeared first on The Ithaca Voice.First published by The Ithaca Voice.

Daily Archives: January 30, 2025

ICE agents arrest at least one person during Thursday raids in Ithaca

Mixed-use project for Inlet Island terminated, site’s future now unclear