Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar has labeled New York state politicians hypocrites in response to an order requiring local law enforcement agencies to terminate cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The directive, issued by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James on July 24, mandates that 12 local law enforcement agencies end their agreements with ICE.
In a media briefing, Akshar criticized the order as “increasingly frustrating” for the political class in Albany. He stated: “It is becoming increasingly … frustrating, you know, to listen to the edicts and, you know, the white noise coming from, again, the political class in Albany.”
The sheriff confirmed he would comply with the law ending 287(g) programs by August 25 but pledged continued cooperation with ICE on other matters.
When asked about immigration-related issues, Akshar reiterated: “All I can say about immigration-related issues is that if there is a very dangerous person in this jail, and the expectation is that I’m going to release that person back out into the community, I’m not doing that.”
Broome County, located in New York’s Southern Tier with approximately 195,000 residents, is among the agencies affected by the order.
