Denies Defying Federal Immigration Law
By Hank Russell
The Town of East Hampton is denying accusations of breaking federal immigration law by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which placed the town on its list of “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
On May 29, the DHS released a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” that defied federal immigration law in compliance with Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. The executive order requires that a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws — known as sanctuary jurisdictions — be published.
Sanctuary jurisdictions, including cities, counties, and states that are “deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities,” the DHS stated. “Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”
In addition to Suffolk County, the only Long Island municipality that was listed as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” was East Hampton. However, the DHS listed East Hampton as a city, which Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and Police Chief Michael D. Sarlo said caused confusion.
“After reviewing the list and the executive order it references, there are still a number of details that remain unclear,” Burke-Gonzalez and Sarlo both said in a statement, adding that they did not know the town was on the list until the next day, when they received a media inquiry about it.
“The executive order directs DHS to notify named jurisdictions and to work with them to review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws,” Burke-Gonzalez and Sarlo stated. “At this time, the Town of East Hampton has not received any direct communication from DHS. It is also unclear whether the list refers to the Town or the Village of East Hampton.”
The supervisor and police chief said that, once they receive formal notification from the DHS, “we will take all appropriate steps in response,” they said.
“The East Hampton Town Police Department remains in full compliance with all applicable directives,” they stated. “The Police Department has no reason to believe that any of its official policies or procedures would place the Town of East Hampton on a list of ‘sanctuary jurisdictions.’ Its policies and procedures manual, along with all internal lawful orders, are fully aligned with federal law and consistent with those of all other local East End police departments.