East Hampton Town Officials Reach Out To Federal Reps Pitching Reforms To Immigration Enforcement Practices

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The East Hampton towon board has reached out to federal representatives, pitching proposed reforms to immigration enforcement practices affecting local communities.

The letters, sent to Rep. Nick LaLota, as well as United States Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, call for greater transparency, accountability, and communication to ensure families are not left without answers and that local communities can maintain trust and public safety, the board said.

"Across the country, local governments are being asked to manage the consequences of an immigration system that often operates with little transparency for the communities where enforcement occurs," the letters state. "Families are left searching for answers, local institutions struggle to maintain trust, and residents are often unsure who is carrying out enforcement actions in their own neighborhoods. As local officials, we believe this system must work better for the communities where these operations take place. "

The letters continue: "We urge Congress to adopt a simple reform that would bring immediate clarity to families and communities when someone is taken into immigration custody. When an individual is detained during an enforcement action, federal authorities should notify the local police department within 12 hours of the person’s name and where they are being taken."

And, the board said: "No family should be left searching hospitals, police stations, and government offices trying to find out where a loved one has gone. "

Local governments are often the first place residents turn when they need answers, town officials said. "Providing basic notification to local authorities would ensure that families are not left in the dark and that communities have a clearer understanding of enforcement actions taking place within their borders."

More broadly, when federal enforcement actions occur in our neighborhoods, town official said they must be conducted in a way that respects constitutional protections, maintains public trust, and provides a basic level of transparency and accountability to the communities affected.

"That means there must be clear rules governing enforcement activity. Immigration officers should be required to obtain judicial warrants before entering private property," town officials said.

In addition, town officials believe officers conducting enforcement operations should clearly identify themselves and display identifying information — and the use of face coverings during enforcement actions should be restricted so residents know who is operating in their community.

Sensitive locations must also remain protected, town officials said.

Schools, medical facilities, houses of worship, polling places, and courts must remain places where people can access essential services without fear that doing so could expose them to enforcement activity, the town board said.

"We also believe Congress should establish clear national standards prohibiting racial profiling, governing the use of force, and requiring the use of body cameras during interactions with the public, the town board said. "These basic accountability measures are standard expectations for law enforcement and should apply equally to federal immigration operations. "

Equally important is the relationship between federal authorities and the communities where enforcement occurs, the town board said.

When federal operations take place within a town, local governments must retain the ability to investigate potential misconduct and ensure appropriate standards of transparency and accountability are upheld, town official said.

"The East Hampton Town Board believes these reforms would help bring greater transparency, accountability, and humanity to an immigration enforcement system that too often operates without them," the letters concluded.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez also issued a statement: "No family should have to call around to hospitals, police stations, and government offices just to find out where a loved one was taken. Yet that is the reality too often today. When there is no clear information, it creates fear and confusion at the worst possible moment. This is a straightforward fix that would ensure families can get answers when they need them most."