In an unexpected move, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office in New York State has signed an agreement that allows county correctional officers to perform some of the duties of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials within the county. This is in sharp contrast to the policies in place in other counties throughout the state. In fact, only 75 law enforcement agencies across the country have signed on to this ICE program.

An Unpopular Move

According to Governor Cuomo’s chief counsel, the agreement signed by the Rensselaer County Sheriff is “contrary to the public policy and values” of the state of New York. Rensselaer County is primarily rural and has few undocumented residents or inmates, making the move a largely symbolic one for Sheriff Patrick Russo.

A Controversial Program

Program 287(g) allows ICE to train officers in local, county and state law enforcement agencies to perform duties typically associated with ICE in the correctional facility environment. These officers are trained to interrogate those suspected of being undocumented immigrants and to turn them over to ICE officials. Russo stated that he signed on to the program in an effort to prevent dangerous criminals from being released back into Rensselaer County.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

Retaining the services of an experienced New York immigration lawyer can help you and your family to deal with visa and citizenship issues more easily and can provide some protection against overzealous law enforcement officials in Rensselaer County and across the state of New York. While New York City and other areas of the state may offer some protections for undocumented immigrants, ICE can still pursue arrests and create issues for individuals with questionable statuses. Working with a New York immigration lawyer is the best way to resolve your issues and to ensure your right to remain in this country.

At Pozo Goldstein, we offer the best representation for your immigration issues. By working with an experienced and knowledgeable New York immigration lawyers from our office, you can enjoy the benefits of our in-depth knowledge in this field of law. Two of our team members are former immigration prosecutors, ensuring that you receive the best and most practical representation for your case. Call us today at 212-201-9031 to set up a consultation in our New York office. We look forward to the opportunity to help you and your family resolve your immigration issues and remain in this country legally.