Curran accused of flip-flopping over Nassau ICE decision

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is accused of flip-flopping after doing another about-face when it comes to the placement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the county.

News 12 Staff

Jan 29, 2019, 10:48 AM

Updated 2,158 days ago

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Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is accused of flip-flopping after doing another about-face when it comes to the placement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the county.
On Tuesday, Republican Legislator John Ferretti and the Nassau Police Benevolent Association were among those criticizing Curran for, at first, telling ICE that it needs to leave county jail property in East Meadow by Jan. 31 -- and now saying the agents can temporarily stay.
"I can only assume it's a political pandering," Ferretti said.
"Listen, she was trying to kick ICE out of Nassau County and it kind of blew up in her face," said Nassau PBA President James McDermott.
As News 12 has reported, Curran told ICE last week that it could relocate from the jail to the nearby Nassau University Medical Center campus. But that, too, was met with controversy from the New York Civil Liberties Union and immigrant advocates.
There was also unclear information about exactly where ICE would move at NUMC. Buildings "Z" and "A" were mentioned. And on Tuesday, Curran's office said the hospital also offered up "G" at one point. None of the considered spots are near the hospital's main building; however, buildings "A" and "G" are right across from the jail.
Curran says that's why she initially thought the NUMC location would be a good idea. But she said Monday night that she realizes the hospital grounds are no longer the best choice.
"I do not want people to be afraid to use the hospital, to come and get the medical care they need," Curran said. "I also want to make sure that we're being as responsible as we can in terms of law enforcement and keeping bad guys out of our neighborhoods."
News 12 asked if Curran would rule out letting ICE stay at the jail permanently. A spokesperson said Curran is not ruling out anything.