27-01-2025
ICE presence confirmed in Rochester amid immigration crackdown
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – In the middle of the ICE Immigration crackdown across the United States under the Trump Administration, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans spoke about operations here in recent days.
Evans said while he knows ICE agents were in Rochester, he has not received an update or clarity about the outcome of their operations.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has been here previously but the mayor says they never get an alert of what's happening and does not coordinate with their efforts.
Mayor Evans added in a statement that he recognizes there is a degree of fear from the ongoing rhetoric around Immigration crackdowns. He encourages refugees and immigrants in the area to be fully aware of their rights.
According to ICE, hundreds of migrants across the United States have been arrested over the past few days including nearly 1,000 on Sunday alone.
News 8 also spoke with the head of City Council Miguel Melendez who said, 'I am aware of at least three, now, visits in the City of Rochester that are confirmed visits, home visits. I don't know what the details are, I don't know what they entail other than they're going after very specific people in the community and our understanding at this point-and-time is they are not people who are criminals. They are family members that are here either on asylum or other types of status so we're trying to understand why these individuals are being targeted at this time.'
Rochester is what is known as a 'sanctuary city' and while the term is not legally binding, it does mean there are certain protections and resources in the community to support individuals who are undocumented. Additionally, the Rochester Police Department does not have legal authority to enforce immigration detainers. This is laid out in section P-75-17 under RPD's training bulletin, 'Sanctuary City Resolution' as well as under General Order 502 'Equitable Policing.''Many of the people who are here in Rochester – and who are here in Monroe County – are here legally and they have rights to be here and they have migrated to this community; some of them have asylum status, some of them have Temporary Protected Status. There's many different ways that you can enter this country and they have done so, in a legal way. So for those individuals, I hope that we are able to protect them and provide them the resources to continue to live and be thriving members of our community,' Melendez said.
Right now, organizations working with those in the migrant community are making sure individuals are educated in their rights.
'There's a lot of moving parts and I think that's where the uncertainty comes because we've had a slew of Executive Orders in the last week — hard to keep up with all the changing times; at the same time, though, it's important that we don't lose sight that there are rights that people do have and it is going to be important in the next couple weeks that we spend time unpacking this making sure people are aware of it and everyone in this community needs to spend the energy to understand the laws,' added Melendez.
The American Civil Liberties Union issued guidance for those under various status to review for their rights as well as the New York Immigration Coalition.
News8 is also learning of red palm cards with 'Know Your Rights' facts being distributed among the immigrant community, seen here.
Full Statement from Mayor Malik Evans:
I was made aware that federal immigration officials were in the Rochester region this weekend but have not received any information about the outcome of their presence.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has operated in our region in the past, and does not alert, coordinate with, or involve local governments or law enforcement in their activities.
I recognize there is a degree of fear and concern being caused by the current rhetoric around immigration enforcement, and encourage refugees and immigrants living in the Greater Rochester area to be fully aware of their rights. The City of Rochester will work closely with our partners at the local, regional and state levels, and will share information as soon as we receive it.
News8 reached out to I.C.E. officials for comment regarding these visits and have not yet received a response.
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