ICE Enforcement and OLA Safety Law Debate
Town of Riverhead
Summary
OLA of Eastern Long Island and a long line of residents urged the town to adopt a local law governing how ICE operations interact with local police — transparency, identification of agents, and limits on town resources. The board took no action but heard roughly a dozen speakers.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 11
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
Tooker warned of potential civil liability if officers are drawn into immigration enforcement.
Immigrant families and residents concerned about chaotic federal enforcement operations.
Depends on viewpoint; opponents see limits on officers' ability to protect their identities.
Mentions & discussions (11)
Town Board - Oct 20, 2026
Desmond Wong and Allyson Matwey pressed the board to hold a public work session with police, the town attorney and OLA directors on safeguards for immigration enforcement at town facilities, and to consider the OLA public safety law.
Town Board - Sep 15, 2026
Speaker after speaker urged the board to adopt the proposed OLA local law addressing federal immigration enforcement, citing ICE activity on Marcy Avenue and fear in immigrant families; others pushed back against masking restrictions for officers. The board has not taken up the proposal.
Town Board - Aug 18, 2026
Roughly two dozen speakers urged the board to adopt the OLA public safety and accountability law amid repeated ICE sightings in Riverhead, while some residents supported ICE enforcement of criminal activity. The board took no action but Supervisor Halpin noted he met with OLA's director and Councilmembers Rothwell and Kern signaled openness to dialogue.
Town Board - Aug 4, 2026
Multiple speakers criticized Councilwoman Waski's public comments prioritizing 'legal residents,' saying the board's silence puts a target on immigrant residents. The town attorney defended the board's constitutional compliance; a retired Methodist pastor and others called for community dialogue.
Town Board - Jul 21, 2026
Residents repeatedly pressed the board to adopt the OLA safety law or at least meet with OLA, citing fear in the Latino community from ICE operations. Councilmember Waski said she does not support OLA and supports ICE and rule of law, drawing sharp pushback.
Town Board - Jul 7, 2026
Desmond Wong and Colin Tooker demanded a public work session comparing OLA's draft with existing town laws and RPD protocols, citing a February incident involving federal agents at police headquarters. The board pointed to public records but set no session.
Town Board - Jun 16, 2026
A resident asked whether the town is moving forward on adopting an OLA policy, citing $70 billion in new federal ICE funding and national debates over habeas corpus.
Town Board - Jun 2, 2026
Residents pressed the board to hold a work session on OLA's proposed legislation, citing recent ICE activity in Riverhead; Rothwell said existing laws are adequate.
Town Board - May 5, 2026
Several residents urged the board to adopt the East End public safety/accountability law governing communication between federal agents and local police, delivering a petition to the clerk. Others, including Colin Tooker and John McAuliff, argued immigrants commit crime at lower rates and that ICE raids, not immigrants, are the real safety concern.
Town Board - Apr 21, 2026
A string of residents urged the board to adopt the OLA East End public safety law, which sets out how local police and town leaders respond to ICE raids. Speakers described fear in the Latino community and said Riverhead is the only East End town that hasn't acted.
Town Board - Feb 18, 2026
OLA of Eastern Long Island and a long line of residents urged the town to adopt a local law governing how ICE operations interact with local police — transparency, identification of agents, and limits on town resources. The board took no action but heard roughly a dozen speakers.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Town of Riverhead
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.