Crash involving ICE agents in New Cassel underscores community fears about local immigration enforcement
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson told News 12: "ICE Homeland Security Investigations Long Island personnel were conducting an operation associated with an ongoing federal investigation."
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Many on Long Island are growing increasingly fearful as the number of sightings involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement grows each day.
On Tuesday, a crash involving federal agents at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Sylvester Street in New Cassel only heightened those concerns. The crash drew a large crowd.
According to an ICE spokesperson, "ICE Homeland Security Investigations Long Island personnel were conducting an operation associated with an ongoing federal investigation. During the operation, special agents were confronted by multiple anti-law enforcement agitators, which prohibited the enforcement action. ICE HSI personnel departed the location and, shortly thereafter, a member of the law enforcement team was involved in a motor-vehicle collision. The involved parties were subsequently surrounded by these agitators before the law enforcement officer was removed from the scene."
Nassau County police initially stated that the agents were with Homeland Security, not immigration, but hours later, federal officials confirmed they were with ICE.
According to a source, the agents were not involved in immigration enforcement activities, but their presence underscored a lot of fears in the community.
Several individuals who spoke with News 12 said that people in Westbury and the surrounding communities are venturing out less, and local businesses are taking a hit due to immigration concerns.
Regarding their presence on Long Island, an ICE spokesperson added in a statement to News 12: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is executing the president’s mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.
ICE New York City is actively investigating immigration crimes throughout the five boroughs, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley; but due to our operational tempo and the increased interest in our agency, we are unable to research and respond to every rumor or discuss specifics of routine daily operations."
