Niagara Leader

Penn Yan, NY - This morning, an arraignment was held in Yates County after an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic was charged with a Class D Felony for possession of forged instruments. The local officials were unable to hold the individual due to 2020 guidance issued by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, which prevented them from doing so despite possessing a Federal Homeland Security Detainer.

According to the guidance, certain restrictions are placed on the detention and re-arrest of individuals based on administrative detainers from ICE, as well as limitations on delaying releases and extending detentions for immigration-related reasons. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney expressed her concerns about the implications of this guidance on community safety, stating, "This reckless, dangerous guidance makes our communities less safe and further hampers law enforcement’s ability to protect New Yorkers."

Tenney highlighted the importance of detaining criminal illegal immigrants to prevent potential harm to American citizens, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement measures. She called upon Senator Schumer to support the Laken Riley Act, which aims to ensure that individuals with Homeland Security detainers are actually detained. Additionally, she urged Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James to repeal the existing guidance and hold criminals and illegal immigrants accountable for their actions.

The incident in Yates County has reignited the debate on immigration policies and enforcement practices, with Tenney's remarks underscoring the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by criminal illegal immigrants within communities.