1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent regarding a recent post shared on the official Facebook page of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office praising U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). At a time of heightened national tension—following recent fatal incidents involving ICE enforcement actions—this type of messaging from a county law enforcement agency is divisive and damaging to public trust. Regardless of individual views on federal immigration policy, an official sheriff’s page should not amplify or endorse a federal agency whose actions are currently the subject of widespread public concern and scrutiny. Local law enforcement in New York earns legitimacy through extensive training, accountability, transparency, and direct service to the community. ICE operates under a fundamentally different mandate, structure, and oversight framework. Conflating the two erodes clarity, fuels fear, and places local officers at unnecessary risk by associating them with controversial federal actions beyond their control. Public trust in law enforcement is fragile. Official communications that blur jurisdictional lines or appear politically aligned undermine that trust and weaken community cooperation—outcomes that make everyone less safe, including officers themselves. I respectfully urge your offices to: Reaffirm the importance of neutrality and professionalism in official communications by county and municipal law enforcement agencies; Encourage clear guidance regarding the use of official social media platforms to avoid divisive or politicized messaging; Support policies that protect community trust, officer safety, and accountability across all levels of law enforcement. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to the people of New York State.