Nassau County, NY — Earlier today, Senator Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages utilized their rights as state elected officials, inspected the conditions of East Meadow Jail, and spoke with some of those being detained. Local officials of East Meadow Jail attempted to unlawfully deny the electeds entry. After nearly 1.5 hours of Senator Salazar and Chair Solages not backing down from their duty as state elected officials, they were granted entry. 

Senator Julia Salazar, Sponsor of Dignity Not Detention and Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, released the following statement: 

“Today, Assemblymember Solages and I exercised our rights as state elected officials and inspected the conditions of East Meadow Jail, where ICE has detained more than 1,400 New Yorkers over the past few months. Facility officials attempted to unlawfully deny us access, but we refused to be intimidated. Inside the jail, it was clear that Nassau County and ICE are detaining New Yorkers without due process, or access to their families and legal counsel. One individual we spoke with did not understand why he was there, as he had committed no crimes. We were only able to speak with a few individuals, as the facility officials and the Nassau Executive’s team rushed us out, as if they had something to hide. 

New York should not be in the business of helping ICE kidnap and detain New Yorkers, which is exactly what’s happening in Nassau County, in New York City, in Orange County, and more. It’s time for state leaders to step up, reconvene the legislative session, and pass Dignity Not Detention, New York for All, and Access to Representation.” 

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus released the following statement: 

"Today I joined Senate Chair of Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Julia Salazar to tour the Nassau County Correctional Center. Despite initial resistance, we were able to observe some of the conditions and speak with individuals who were detained by ICE. We did have concerns relating to limited recreation, access to showers, and proper hygiene. People are being held without due process, and Nassau County should not be using local resources to assist in detaining individuals without these basic rights. 
 
As the first person of Haitian descent elected to the State Legislature, I have seen the fear these actions create across our communities. This is not about public safety. It is about intimidation. Ultimately, the State has the authority and obligation to protect all New Yorkers from federal overreach and ensure that due process is upheld for everyone. We will continue to keep a vigilant eye over this escalating situation."  

ICE has detained more than 1,400 New Yorkers at East Meadow Jail over the last five months through an agreement with ICE and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. None of the people Nassau police has handed over to ICE are violent criminals. Nassau County also prohibits its residents from wearing masks in most circumstances, but is allowing its police officers to wear masks when working with ICE.