Westchester County executive clarifies immigration policy, denies sanctuary status
Jenkins clarified that Westchester is not a sanctuary county, emphasizing that it does not hinder the federal government's ability to enforce immigration laws.
More Stories
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has addressed what he describes as misconceptions regarding immigration policies in the county.
Jenkins clarified that Westchester is not a sanctuary county, emphasizing that it does not hinder the federal government's ability to enforce immigration laws.
Jenkins explained that the county provides judicial warrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before releasing individuals from custody. He stated, "When this document is filed, the county notifies ICE before releasing an individual from custody and may hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their release date to work through and let the fellow law enforcement folks do their job."
This policy, according to Jenkins, has been in effect since 2018. However, he also noted that there is a policy preventing the county from assisting with federal investigations unless they pertain to criminal activities.
