By Ayden Whyte
Tension filled the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola on a recent Monday night as Nassau County residents clashed with lawmakers over what they described as growing cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.
What began as a routine general meeting of the Nassau County Legislature quickly turned into a heated exchange between officials and community members. Dozens of residents filled the room to voice concerns over recent reports of an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainments across Long Island. Many accused county officials of enabling federal enforcement by holding detainees in local facilities and sharing information with ICE.
Among those voicing frustration was Donovan Espinal, of Hempstead, who said the issue has affected even U.S. citizens born and raised on Long Island.
“I was born here. I’m a citizen, and I’ve still been stopped and asked to hand over paperwork that proves my nationality,” Espinal said. “The fact that we can’t speak about it to the people meant to represent us is disheartening.”
Espinal’s comments drew loud applause from members of the audience, setting off a tense back-and-forth that reflected the emotional weight of the issue. Several residents called on the Legislature to distance the county from ICE, while others demanded more transparency about local detainment practices. Some attendees held up signs reading “No ICE in Nassau” and “Protect Our Neighbors.”
Moments later, Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, a Democrat froM Glen Cove, addressed what she described as a breakdown in decorum inside the chamber.
“It was agreed that during our session today, we would not allow our supporters for the issues that we had and the issues that your side had to turn our session into a political rally,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “That’s not what we are about. We have customs and traditions that we adhere to here.”
Her remarks prompted mixed reactions from the crowd, with some quieting down and others leaving the room in protest. For many attendees, the exchange symbolized a growing disconnect between local leadership and the residents most impacted by immigration enforcement policies.
Outside the chamber, conversations continued well after the session came to a close. Groups of residents gathered in the hallway, sharing stories of friends, neighbors and relatives whom they say have been detained in recent months.
One Great Neck resident who did not wish to be named said local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE “only disrupts and hurts trust with law enforcement.” Her comments echoed the broader sentiment that the fear of detainment has made many residents less willing to report crimes or interact with police.
Following the meeting, county officials said the Legislature intends to review existing policies related to detainment and federal cooperation. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue in committee discussions later this fall, though no formal legislation has been proposed.
