Dueling news conferences show divide over proposed Rockland immigration legislation
One news conference was held inside the Rockland County Legislative Chamber, while another took place about a half-mile away at Clarkstown Town Hall.
Emotions ran high Monday as elected officials, advocacy groups, nonprofits and members of law enforcement leaders attended dueling news conferences over proposed legislation that would define how Rockland County employees — including law enforcement — interact with federal agencies on immigration matters.
One news conference was held inside the Rockland County Legislative Chamber, while another took place about a half-mile away at Clarkstown Town Hall.
At the legislative chambers, Democratic Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson questioned the absence of opponents.
“So what I would ask the folks who are around the corner is, why aren’t you here with us?” said Davidson, who is also attempting to be the democratic nominee to challenge Rep. Mike Lawler in the upcoming midterm election.
Meanwhile at Clarkstown Town Hall, Republican Rep. Lawler forcefully rejected the proposal, drawing cheers from supporters around him in the room.
“It is time, once and for all, to put this s*** to bed,” Lawler said. “We are not going to be a sanctuary county in Rockland. And that’s the bottom line.”
The proposed legislation, which will be known as the Safety and Dignity for All Act, is still in draft form. Supporters say it would clarify what county employees can and cannot do when interacting with federal officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bill is modeled after Westchester County’s Immigrant Protection Act, which was passed in 2018. Democrat Westchester County Legislator David Imamura joined Rockland lawmakers in the chambers Monday morning.
“My understanding is Rockland will not ask for immigrant status, which is what Westchester was doing and which Westchester was using to weaponize against the people,” Imamura said.
Several advocacy organizations, including the Rockland Pride Center, are urging lawmakers to pass the legislation. Brooke Malloy, of the Pride Center, pointed to confidentiality being important to whom they all serve.
“Our clients cannot trust us if they believe information shared for funding or care will later be passed along,” Malloy said. “Again — because someone misunderstood the role or felt politically pressured.”
Opposition to the bill came about an hour later, from police unions and lawmakers at Rep. Lawler's press conference less than a half mile away at Clarkstown Town Hall.
Sean O’Connor, president of the Rockland County Police Benevolent Association, shared a dark message.
“The bill before the Rockland County Legislature would endanger everyone in this county regardless of immigration status,” O’Connor said.
The Rockland County PBA represents a majority of police departments in the county, as well as Rockland sheriff’s deputies. O’Connor and other police organizations released a joint statement opposing the bill.
“When uniformed local officers are removed from the equation, you lose the ability to maintain peace during protests,” O’Connor said. “You lose traffic control. You lose coordination. You lose community-based law enforcement tactics that keep everyone safe.”
The Rockland County Legislature is expected to set a date for public hearing on the proposed law during its meeting Tuesday night.
