Nassau County Exec Blakeman shuts down Dems storming ICE jail in surprise visit: ‘Nothing to hide'
Republican Bruce Blakeman said Nassau has 'nothing to hide' after the pair of Democrats were briefly denied entry on Wednesday to a section of the county jail where 50 cells are reserved for holding alleged illegal immigrants sent for deportation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages were turned away at 10:15 a.m. but were let into the area after Blakeman was informed of their arrival.
4 Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman shrugged off a stunt by Democratic lawmakers who showed up at the East Meadow Jail to inspect conditions where detainees are being held under a controversial deal with ICE agents.
Brigitte Stelzer
The section of the jail, which is cut off from the rest of the facility, was holding 14 inmates at the time.
'We welcome their visit, I'm glad they came,' Blakeman told reporters outside his office Wednesday afternoon, hours after the visit had concluded.
'Any misunderstandings or rumors could be set aside by showing them what is actually going on here —- and they indicated to my staff that they were very satisfied — we have nothing to hide.'
But Solages and Salazar told The Post the conditions the detainees were forced to stay in were 'less than basic.'
Solages said the men they saw are not allowed any outdoor time or even a single shower during their 72-hour stays at the county jail while they await deportation or transfer.
4 State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages appeared at the jail before being turned away at 10:15 a.m.
Paul Martinka
She also said that the detainees she spoke to claimed not to have any criminal records, and are only guilty of the civil offense regarding their immigration status.
'There are people in there who have not committed any crime other than the civil offense for immigration,' Solages told The Post.
Blakeman said he couldn't say whether detainees are facing any criminal charges beyond their immigration status — as ICE does not share any detainee info with the county.
4 A portion of the facility that is cut off from the rest of the building was holding 14 inmates at the time.
Stefan Jeremiah
The visit also quickly prompted a new directive by Blakeman, who instructed jail officials to begin allowing ICE detainees access to showers.
'We believe they are not entitled to a shower,' Blakeman told reporters outside his office.
'But upon learning that today, I have directed the Sheriff's Department to make sure any prisoner who wants a shower while they're here, can get a shower.'
4 Blakeman later told reporters he was glad the lawmakers came as he said, 'Any misunderstandings or rumors could be set aside by showing them what is actually going on here.'
Brigitte Stelzer
Since February, the county has held more than 1,400 migrants under a deal with the federal government that counters other municipalities' sanctuary policies.
Nassau is paid $195 per detainee, per night, and allows ICE to detain anyone around the metropolitan area at the East Meadow jail for up to 72 hours.
As part of the partnership, 10 Nassau detectives have completed training to be deputized as ICE agents and are awaiting final authorization to assist in deportations.
Since January, local police have already turned over at least 15 undocumented migrants to ICE after unrelated arrests, ranging from grand larceny to child endangerment.
The partnership has sparked backlash from immigrant rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that Nassau could be opening itself up to legal and constitutional challenges — similar to those faced by neighboring Suffolk County.
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