By Hank Russell
U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) sent out a letter to local towns and villages in his district notifying them that any municipality that establishes itself as a “sanctuary city” may be ineligible for Community Project Funding (CPF) in Fiscal Year 2028.
LaLota said he made the announcement after East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village became the first municipalities in Suffolk County to adopt sanctuary policies. As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, East Hampton denied accusations of breaking federal immigration law by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which placed the town on its list of “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The DHS said that sanctuary jurisdictions are “deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
Last month, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a package of bills that, among other things, will prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and entering into 287(g) agreements with the agency, forbid ICE agents from wearing masks and face coverings, allows new Yorkers to sue ICE if they believe their constitutional rights were violated.
In his letter, LaLota wrote that he will use the CPF process “to encourage cooperation with federal authorities, promote public safety, and uphold the rule of law,” adding, “My priority will remain supporting local governments that demonstrate responsible governance, cooperation with federal agencies, and a commitment to public safety and the rule of law.”
LaLota said he has expressed concern that the lax immigration policies implemented by Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will make its way into Suffolk. He also emphasized that municipalities remain free to adopt whatever policies they choose, but that he will prioritize federal funding requests from jurisdictions that demonstrate responsible governance, cooperation with federal authorities, and a commitment to public safety.
“I am committed to stopping the spread of these dangerous sanctuary policies further into Suffolk by encouraging jurisdictions to choose additional federal resources and stronger public safety partnerships rather than following the Mamdani-Hochul agenda,” LaLota said. “Local leaders are free to embrace Mamdani and Hochul’s sanctuary agenda in pursuit of political support from the Far Left, but they should also be prepared to forgo federal funding opportunities that should be reserved for communities committed to public safety, the rule of law, and cooperation with federal partners.”
A Hochul spokesperson blasted LaLota for withholding funding from local governments that are looking to keep their constituents safe. “Governor Hochul enacted a comprehensive set of policies to protect New Yorkers from ICE overreach while ensuring no sanctuary is provided to criminals in our state,” the spokesperson said. “Anyone who would shamefully threaten to withhold critical funding from New York communities that are following the law is clearly not interested in protecting New Yorkers or keeping our communities safe.”
LILP also reached out to East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village, but did not hear back as of press time.
“My responsibility is to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and to fight for policies that keep Long Islanders safe,” LaLota said. “While the federal government cannot and should not force local governments to reject sanctuary policies, I can ensure that scarce federal resources are directed to communities that work with Law Enforcement, cooperate with federal partners, and put public safety first.”