Board Hears Concerns Regarding ICE Agreement, Approves Budget

By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO COUNTY

Following a brief Public Works Committee meet-ing at 9:50 a.m. to approve a few minor budget transfers, the Otsego County Board of Representatives convened for its December 3 meeting. Representatives David Bliss and Andrew Marietta were both absent at the start of the meeting, though Bliss entered during privilege of the floor and Marietta during committee discussion, meaning all members of the board were present for the final vote on approving Otsego County’s budget for 2026.

Before any regular business could occur, however, a plethora of community members utilized the privilege of the floor to voice their concerns over the recent agreement signed between the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As previously reported by AllOtsego, the 287(g) program is intended to allow local law enforcement—corrections officers in this case, in particular—to carry out immigration enforcement on those in custody.

The discussion opened with Bill Hayes, who applauded the sheriff’s consistent commitment to providing law enforcement to the community over the years, but questioned his authority to enter into the agreement with ICE.

Hayes said that numerous federal regulations have been relaxed, meaning there are no longer supervisors from ICE to ensure that local enforcers are following proper procedure. Hayes further questioned whether this would turn corrections officers into warrant-issuing ICE agents and appealed for a closer look into whether or not this act undermined the county government’s authority.

Boyd Richards came to the stand next, echoing many of the sentiments of Hayes and sharing his concerns regarding the representation of the will of the people.

“It seems very contrary to the resolution that was passed in Cooperstown in support of immigrants and recognizing that often justice isn’t served to immigrants here seeking legal status,” Hayes stated. “I understand that Oneonta has also passed a similar resolution. I think the optics of having our sheriff and sheriff’s department involved in ICE in any way is incongruent with those resolutions and the will of the majority of the individuals here in the county.”

Two more citizens followed Richards, each criticizing the lack of qualifications among new ICE agents and the practice of agents using masks and lacking verifiable identification.

Paul Mendelson, one of the subsequent speakers, concluded his address with a personal reflection.