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Under a new immigration enforcement and discrimination policy, Peekskill police officers or city employees who assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcement can be subject to disciplinary measures.

The Peekskill Common Council voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 23, to adopt a resolution known as “Peekskill for All,” approving a policy that states the Peekskill Police Department and other city departments cannot use their resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement, except for cases where a judicial warrant is issued by a federal judge.

On the same night, the council unanimously passed a resolution requesting Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign into law the “New York for All Act,” which would prohibit and regulate discovery and disclosure of immigration status by state and local government entities.

The resolution vote on Peekskill for All followed a public hearing the same night with more than 20 speakers, as well as several months of advocacy by local residents for a public and transparent policy. 

“Peekskill is a community of love and appreciation for one another, and you showed that tonight,” said Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “We appreciate all of your input. This would not have gotten done without the community.”

Community members at the virtual council meeting shared their enthusiasm and gratitude for the council’s moving the policy forward, while in the same breath calling for the city to go a step further by making a law or ordinance. 

“You’ve made it clear tonight that you do hear us and that you do support us, and that is unbelievably appreciated,” said resident Gianni Ingenio. “It is incredibly moving to see politics work and you all be a part of that working. Making this a law helps that philosophy continue. And in the same way that you would have our backs by listening to us, we will have your backs with any pushback from anyone.”

The approved policy states that any alleged violations would be reported to the city manager, who would then undertake an investigation to determine if any discipline or other action is required. In addition, under the resolution, the city manager would submit an annual public report to the council summarizing ICE requests, actions taken, and any violations and corrective actions.

Resident Cynthia Knox sent several suggestions for the policy, which were incorporated by the city in the final draft. She referenced many municipalities she said passed ordinances in New York, such as Binghamton and Ithaca, as well as in Pennsylvania (Allentown and Reading). Ordinances are also under consideration in Harrisburg (Pa.) and Bangor (Maine).

“Many of these ordinances clarify that they do not confer what people call ‘sanctuary status,’” said Knox, a lawyer who is CEO of Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP). “They do not prevent ICE from doing its work. The municipality does not have the power or the authority to do that, but it does ensure that tax dollars don’t pay for it.”

Advocates asking the city to go beyond the policy say it would make community members feel safer in calling local police and further strengthen the enforceability of the resolution by leaving disciplinary action for alleged violations at the discretion of the city manager. 

City Attorney Eric Gordon said he reviewed such laws but has not seen any that imply criminal sanctions for city personnel who violate laws relating to cooperation with immigration enforcement or using resources to assist.

“We could not create it as a law that could then be enforced through criminal sanctions,” Gordon said. “It could only be enforced the same way that this policy is being enforced, through disciplinary procedures, or else it would violate collective bargaining agreements and it would violate various other employment civil service rules.”

Council members expressed interest in looking into a local law or ordinance moving forward, as well as waiting to see what New York for All does if signed into law.

“We can move forward to see if an ordinance is something we can do,” said Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley. “But in the meantime, we have this [policy] on the books, and for me this is something that we can be proud of. It’s something that is important, that does have teeth. We are stepping up to the plate. It is important for this city to show that we are here and we care about every single person in this community because we are Peekskill.”

To read the policy, click here; to read the New York for All Act resolution, click here.

ICE Responds to Herald Request for Information

By Jim Roberts

The Peekskill Herald asked the federal Department of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the number of times that ICE agents were in the City of Peekskill in 2025.

A spokesperson for ICE responded via email… 

“ICE is conducting law enforcement activities across the country every day to keep Americans safe, [including in] Peekskill, the Hudson Valley and all of New York State. 

“ICE is targeting the worst of the worst including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members and more, many of which are from New York as seen here: Arrested: Worst of the Worst | Homeland Security.

“Below is just a sample of the criminal illegal aliens ICE has arrested in Peekskill and the surrounding communities.

* Dennis Ofuoma, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria convicted of Sex Assault: Carnal Abuse and Burglary arrested in Ossining.

* Edras Perez-Damian, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala convicted of sex assault arrested in Yorktown Heights.

* Luis Torres Rojas, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador convicted of assault arrested in Peekskill. 

* Erick Antonio Salazar Aguirre, a criminal illegal alien of Guatemala convicted of DUI arrested in Peekskill.”

The spokesperson sent the link to a website showing arrests by ICE. There are more than 900 listed in New York State.

In the past, the Peekskill City Police Department has received from ICE notifications when ICE is in or exiting the City of Peekskill. A records clerk told the Herald the department does not have any records indicating the number of times that ICE agents were in the city for 2025.

During its Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, ICE issued a Feb. 4 press release that stated, in part, “We need sanctuary politicians to cooperate with us by notifying us before releasing public safety threats back onto the streets to commit more crimes and create more victims. We will not back down from our mission to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods.”