Nassau County Immigration Lawyer: ICE Enforcement and Your Rights

Last Updated on: 11th October 2025, 11:05 am

Nassau County Immigration Lawyer: ICE Enforcement and Your Rights

Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group. We’re a second-generation immigration law firm managed by Todd Spodek – with over 40 years of combined experience handling deportation defense and ICE enforcement cases. You might know us from the Anna Delvey case that became a Netflix series, or our representation in the Ghislaine Maxwell juror matter. You’re in Nassau County and you’re terrified because local police are now working directly with ICE – or you’ve already been stopped and questioned about your immigration status. This article covers Nassau County’s 287(g) agreements with ICE, how they’re different from the rest of New York, your rights during encounters with law enforcement, and what to do if you’re arrested.

Nassau County Signed The Most Aggressive ICE Agreement In New York

February 2025. Nassau County became the first county in New York to make a deal with ICE since President Trump was inaugurated. County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced two agreements under the 287(g) program – one with the Sheriff’s Office for a Warrant Service Officer program, and another with the Nassau County Police Department for the Task Force Model.

The Task Force Model is the most aggressive type of 287(g) agreement that exists. It gives Nassau County police detectives – 10 of them were deputized – the same authority as federal immigration agents. They can question residents about citizenship status during routine police duties, make immigration arrests without judicial warrants, and detain people based solely on suspected immigration violations.

This is happening during traffic stops, during responses to domestic violence calls, during interactions that have nothing to do with immigration. Police have begun stopping and questioning people over their immigration status in ways that never happened before the agreement.

Clients of the Central American Refugee Center report they’re afraid to report crimes – including domestic violence and child abuse, because they fear Nassau police will detain them or their family members for immigration violations. This creates a dangerous situation where criminals know victims won’t call police.

Nassau County Is Different From The Rest Of New York

Suffolk County didn’t sign a 287(g) agreement. New York City has sanctuary policies that prohibit NYPD from cooperating with ICE detainer requests. Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan – none of them are doing what Nassau County is doing.

The NYCLU, Latino Justice PRLDEF, and Hofstra Law School’s Deportation Defense Clinic sued Nassau County in June 2025. The lawsuit argues the 287(g) agreement violates New York state law, undermines individual rights, and will lead to racial profiling. A 2018 New York appellate court ruled that law enforcement officers don’t have authority to enforce civil immigration law – and that decision remains binding in New York.

The lawsuit is ongoing, but Nassau police continue operating under the ICE agreement while the case proceeds through court. ICE still operates independently in Suffolk County and throughout New York – federal agents don’t need local police cooperation to make arrests, they conduct their own operations anywhere. The difference is Nassau police are actively helping ICE, while other jurisdictions refuse to cooperate.

Over 1,600 people were arrested by ICE across Long Island since Trump took office in 2025. Over half of ICE detainees held in Nassau County jails had no criminal charges or convictions – they were arrested purely for immigration violations.

Your Rights When ICE Or Nassau Police Come To Your Door

Don’t open the door. ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge – not an ICE officer, but an actual judge. Most ICE “warrants” are administrative warrants signed by ICE officers, and those don’t give them authority to enter your home without your consent.

Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or show it through a window. Check if it’s signed by a judge, if it has your correct name and address, and if it specifically authorizes entry into your home. If it doesn’t meet all three requirements – don’t open the door.

ICE agents lie to get you to open the door. They pretend to be local police investigating a crime, they say they need to talk to you about a family member, they claim they have a warrant when they don’t. Don’t believe them. Don’t open the door unless they have a real judicial warrant.

You have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the United States, or your immigration status. Say “I am exercising my right to remain silent and I want to speak to my attorney” – then stop talking.

Don’t lie. If ICE asks if you’re a U.S. citizen and you’re not – don’t say yes. Lying about citizenship creates a permanent bar that prevents you from ever getting legal status in the United States. It’s better to remain silent than to lie.

What To Do If You’re Arrested By ICE Or Nassau Police

Don’t sign anything. ICE will present documents that look official – voluntary departure forms, stipulated removal orders, waivers of rights. These documents are designed to speed up your deportation and eliminate your ability to fight the case. Don’t sign anything without talking to an immigration attorney first.

Ask for a lawyer. The government won’t provide you with a free attorney in immigration court like they would in criminal court – but you have the right to hire one at your own expense. Immediately contact an immigration attorney who handles deportation defense.

Carry documents proving you’ve been in the U.S. for over two years. Trump expanded expedited removal in 2025 – ICE can now deport undocumented immigrants who can’t prove they’ve been in the United States for more than two years, without ever seeing a judge. Leases, utility bills, tax returns, school records – keep copies that show you’ve been here long-term.

Family members can locate you using ICE’s online detainee locator at locator.ice.gov. They’ll need your A-number if you have one, or they can search by name and country of birth. Once they find you – they can contact an immigration attorney to request a bond hearing and start fighting your deportation.

If you’re detained in Nassau County – you’ll likely be held at local jails before being transferred to a federal immigration detention facility. Immigration court hearings for detained individuals happen at 201 Varick Street in Manhattan, not in Nassau County, so your family will need to travel there for hearings.

Nassau County’s 287(g) Agreement Changes Everything For Immigrants

Before the agreement, Nassau County police wouldn’t ask about immigration status during routine interactions. Traffic stops were about traffic violations. Domestic violence calls were about protecting victims. Now every interaction with Nassau police carries immigration enforcement risk.

If you’re undocumented and living in Nassau County – avoid unnecessary interactions with police. Don’t drive without a license, don’t get into situations that attract police attention, don’t assume Nassau police will help you without asking about your immigration status.

If you’re a crime victim – you still have rights and you should still report crimes, but understand the risks. Consult with an immigration attorney before contacting Nassau police if you’re concerned about immigration consequences. U visa protections exist for crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement, but the application process takes time and there’s no guarantee of approval.

Why You Need An Immigration Attorney In Nassau County

Nassau County’s 287(g) agreements create immigration enforcement risks that don’t exist in other parts of New York. Our immigration attorneys handle deportation defense cases, bond hearings, and removal proceedings for clients arrested by ICE or Nassau police. We know how the 287(g) program works, how to challenge unlawful arrests, and how to fight deportation cases in immigration court.

Todd Spodek grew up in Brooklyn working for his father’s law firm before attending Northeastern University and Pace Law School. Our law firm has handled thousands of immigration cases since 1976 – including cases featured in major media outlets, like the New York Post, Newsweek, and Bloomberg.

If you were arrested by ICE or Nassau police, if you received a Notice to Appear, if you’re detained and need a bond hearing, if you’re worried about Nassau County’s enforcement policies – contact our immigration attorneys immediately. We’re available 24/7 at our offices throughout NYC and Long Island.