Town of Southold addresses concerns over immigration enforcement
Town officials say federal agents need a warrant to enter a home or workplace.
More Stories
Southold residents attending the town's information session on federal immigration enforcement say they're worried about some of their neighbors in their community.
"Targeted by people that don't agree with them being here maybe. As a Latina that's what I'm very concerned about," said Bianca Munguia-Howie, of Southold.
Town officials answered written questions from concerned residents, mostly having to do with how the Southold police force will handle immigration laws.
"Local law-enforcement officers do not have the authority to enforce federal immigration violations," said Southold Police Chief Steve Grattan.
Southold Supervisor Al Krupski Jr. says he wants people to know what the town's role is in the president's immigration enforcement.
"That was really the message here tonight, so people don't think well why aren't the town police doing that or this because a lot of times they're just not legally authorized to do so," he said.
Town officials say local police will not ask anyone about their immigration status. They say federal agents need a warrant to enter a home or workplace. The superintendent of Mattituck Cutchogue Union Free School District says if any ICE agents were to visit their schools, they would need a search warrant.
The Southold town supervisor says anyone with questions or concerns can reach out to his office.
