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President criticizes Curran’s removal of ICE

Jessica Parks
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran

News of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s decision to remove the Immigration and Customs Enforcement trailer and its agents from the County Correctional Center has reached the White House with President Donald Trump calling the move one made by “Radical Democrats” on Wednesday night.

He said the reason for Curran’s decision is “because they don’t want them doing anything to disturb MS-13.”

Curran’s call for the relocation of the agency from its current location in East Meadow came last week after a recent court decision that prohibits local law enforcement agencies from holding those detained by ICE or an administrative warrant at their facilities.

“The law is the law, and we will follow it,” Curran said in a statement. “Removing ICE from the trailer gives us an opportunity to eliminate confusion in the immigrant community and demonstrate that inmates are there for crimes.”

In response to the president, Curran said in a statement prior to an agreement to end the government shutdown that he should remain focused on reopening the government.

Trump’s comments were welcomed by James McDermott, the president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, who said in a statement: “I wanted to personally thank President Trump for weighing in on this very important issue and calling out those who want to interfere with the Police cooperation of ICE while fighting the violent gang MS-13.”

Curran recently announced that she would allow the agency to move their facilities to the Nassau University Medical Center next door to the police station after hundreds of members of law enforcement protested her decision in Mineola on Tuesday.

This announcement was also met with criticism with protesters gathering in the lobby of Curran’s office Thursday.

Angela Papalia, a social worker with Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, told Newsday: “We have concerns that women, children and families will not receive lifesaving care due to the fear that has arisen by the news that was released yesterday.”

Curran said in a statement: “Let me make this clear to our immigrant communities in Nassau County: I will not allow anything or anyone to interfere with access to medical care at the hospital.”

Members of the Republican majority previously asked Curran to delay her decision to remove the agency.

Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) said with the presence of MS-13 in the area he is concerned about the effect of ending the relationship between ICE and the Nassau County Police Department.

“I ask the county to delay the removal of the ICE liaison until we can ensure the safety of Nassau County residents moving forward,” he said in a statement.

The removal of ICE from the Nassau County Correctional Center will end the agency’s 20-year tenure at the facility.

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