Proyecto Faro, an immigration advocacy organization with offices in Spring Valley and Stony Point, are informing undocumented people of their rights when dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The group is doing so especially in light of recent ICE enforcement across the country and reports of activity in Rockland. They posted online earlier this week that ICE was in different parts of Rockland. While not disclosing their sources specifically, they tell News 12 the information came from different people in the community.
News 12’s Diane Caruso reports a few of her law enforcement sources in the county had not heard of nor could they verify ICE activity. While one told her ICE activity involved those with criminal backgrounds.
News 12 has reached out to various federal agencies to find out if ICE has been in Rockland and we have not heard back.
"We really need to be able to make sure that the community is well informed,” said Dilcia Suazo, the co-executive director of Proyecto Faro. "We want everyone, also the community members, to be prepared and to be able to make sure that everyone has a safety plan."
Suazo says ICE doesn't need to contact local law enforcement.
Proyecto Faro is working to inform the immigrant community of their rights.
"If the order is not signed by a judge, they could actually let the ICE officer know, 'No, it's not an enforceable order. I cannot say anything else,'" Suazo explains.
The Trump administration says criminals are the target of ice enforcement across the country.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day provided News 12 with the following statement following our request for information for this story:
“Recent speculation regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Rockland County has led to concern within our community. We want to take this opportunity to clarify the facts as we know them and reassure our residents.
The County of Rockland has no role in the enforcement actions of federal immigration authorities, nor do we have any knowledge of whether this is happening or are we provided any type of notice of actions of law enforcement.
However, it is important to highlight that reports about ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) indicate those being targeted are individuals with charges or convictions including sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and drug offenses, a measured response consistent with circumstances and existing protocol.
Again, these operations are conducted solely by federal agencies, and the County does not participate in detaining or deporting individuals.
Questions or concerns regarding immigration enforcement should be directed to the appropriate federal agencies directly.”