Norma Gonsalves: ICE Must Stay At Nassau County Jail

To the Editor:

The East Meadow community is the home of the Nassau County Jail which incarcerates some very violent criminals. The safety and well-being of our children, adults and community members are primary responsibilities of the Nassau County Executive. Regardless of political party our county executives, over many years, have worked earnestly in cooperation with a wide range of community leaders, community associations and legislators in keeping all of us safe. For decades our jail safety net has brought together in partnership Nassau County government, the Nassau County sheriff, our jail corrections officers, the Nassau County police commissioner, Nassau County police officers and the federal agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Now this highly effective law enforcement partnership is in jeopardy and so is our safety.

Why? County Executive Laura Curran has unilaterally decided, without seeking input from anyone beyond her political/ideological circle, that ICE should be removed from Nassau County. The county executive directed jail administration to evict ICE by the end of December 2018. After the secrecy was discovered and after significant community outrage, Curran extended the eviction date to January 31, 2019 and then decided to move ICE to the Nassau County Medical Center premises and then again decided to return ICE to jail grounds but on a “temporary basis.”

Curran’s hubris-filled actions on this important matter reject transparency, community inclusion and cavalierly tosses safety and common sense to the wind. Curran’s pretense for eviction is a recent New York State Appellate Court Division decision against Suffolk County which concludes that retention of inmates who would otherwise be released could not be retained based on ICE detainees or administrative warrants. This decision is easily remedied by a change in administrative procedure without exposing the community to violent criminals. The decision
does not end lawful cooperation with ICE or require the removal of ICE from jail property. Curran is engaging in ideological and partisan politics at the expense of our safety. She cannot prevail!

Most disheartening is Curran’s lack of knowledge as to the changes in the incarcerated population that have occurred over many decades. MS13, the Bloods, the Crips and other violent gangs had little or no presence some time ago. Long, long ago a sizable portion of the incarcerated population, with the goal of reducing recidivism, could be seen working outside the very secure facility in an open area learning agriculture skills. Those days are gone! The lethal brutality of the gangs must be recognized.

The partnership in law enforcement, including ICE, on the jail premises must be guaranteed and strengthened in the interest of safety for everyone.

Norma L. Gonsalves
Former Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature

Photo: Patch