Nassau exec, top cop outraged over ICE raids

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey called on the Department of Homeland Security Tuesday to investigate the conduct of federal agents during last week's illegal

News 12 Staff

Oct 2, 2007, 10:29 PM

Updated 6,270 days ago

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Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey called on the Department of Homeland Security Tuesday to investigate the conduct of federal agents during last week's illegal immigration raids.
Mulvey said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Nassau police it wanted help locating gang members. However, Mulvey said only three of the 40 people arrested were actively affiliated with gangs. ICE failed to share information and was working with outdated intelligence, he said. Mulvey also said agents acted recklessly, twice mistakenly aiming their weapons at county police officers serving as backup.
"There are some serious allegations of misconduct and malfeasance," Suozzi said.
Mulvey added, "The end does not justify the means," in reference to the 186 undocumented individuals arrested in Nassau and Suffolk.
Immigrant rights activists agree, and demonstrated against the raids in Hempstead last week. They said ICE's methods struck fear into the immigrant community.
Peter Smith, the special agent in charge of the federal operation, said ICE stands behind its operation. Smith said his agents did not act improperly, and denied Mulvey's claim that weapons were pointed at Nassau police.
To watch Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey's complete news conference on the ICE raids, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.
Related Information:ICEarrests 157 suspected gang members on LI