The battle over sanctuary cities has intensified as Trump Border Czar Tom Homan publicly defends Rochester police officers currently under investigation for assisting ICE agents. The controversy highlights the growing tensions between Democrat-led sanctuary policies and law enforcement officers trying to keep communities safe.
At a glance:
- Tom Homan met with Rochester police union to support officers criticized for helping ICE during a traffic stop
- Rochester officers are under investigation for assisting Border Patrol with eight non-compliant individuals
- Democratic Mayor Malik Evans criticized officers for violating sanctuary city policy
- Homan declared “Help is coming!” to Rochester officers facing disciplinary action
- Republican state leaders condemned city leadership for failing to support police officers
Homan Stands With Rochester Officers Under Fire
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan has thrown his support behind Rochester police officers currently facing disciplinary action for assisting federal immigration agents. The officers responded to a Border Patrol emergency call involving a van containing eight non-compliant individuals, only to later find themselves under investigation by their own department.
Homan met with the Rochester Police Locust Club union and delivered a clear message of support to the embattled officers. “I stand with the officers of the Rochester, New York Police Department that answered the emergency assistance call from the U.S Border Patrol,” Homan declared, adding emphatically, “Help is coming!”
The controversy stems from a recent incident where Rochester police officers responded to assist Border Patrol agents with individuals who refused to exit a van. Democratic Mayor Malik Evans and Police Chief David Smith quickly criticized the officers, claiming they violated the city’s sanctuary policy by participating in federal immigration activities.
Democrat Leaders Condemn Police Actions
Rochester’s Democratic leadership wasted no time in launching an internal investigation into the officers’ actions, which included handcuffing individuals at the scene. Mayor Evans emphasized his administration’s stance, stating firmly, “City police officers do not help or participate in federal immigration activities.”
Police Chief Smith further reinforced the city’s sanctuary policy, declaring, “We are not to be handcuffing subjects.” The Chief also announced additional training for officers regarding the department’s policies on immigration enforcement, despite officers responding to what they considered an emergency call for assistance.
The situation highlights the impossible position sanctuary policies put local law enforcement in when federal agents request emergency assistance. Republican State Senator George Borrello and State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt criticized Rochester’s leadership for failing to support officers who were simply responding to a call for help from fellow law enforcement.
Homan Blasts Sanctuary Policies as Dangerous
Tom Homan, who served as Acting ICE Director under President Trump, has been a vocal critic of sanctuary policies across the nation. “Sanctuary policies endanger our police and the public,” Homan stated during his visit to Rochester, reinforcing his long-held position that such policies create unnecessary barriers to effective law enforcement.
Homan’s support for the Rochester officers aligns perfectly with President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s consistent opposition to sanctuary cities. The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that sanctuary policies prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities to remove dangerous criminals from American communities.
Rochester’s sanctuary city resolution, reaffirmed in 2017, explicitly prohibits the police department from enforcing federal immigration laws. This policy now stands at the center of a heated debate about whether officers should prioritize sanctuary regulations over assisting fellow law enforcement officers in potentially dangerous situations.
State Republicans have pledged to continue supporting the officers as the internal investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, Homan’s involvement signals that the issue could become part of larger national conversations about immigration enforcement as the 2024 election approaches.
