ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Major changes are expected across federal agencies starting Jan. 20 when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We’re a professional organization. We’ve been doing this for a while. We’re used to change,” said Thomas Brophy, ICE field office director in Buffalo. “Change happens. We’re not afraid of it. You know, it happens all the time.”
If confirmed, a new leader will take over ICE.
Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan’s controversial plans are both welcomed and feared by different groups.
Brophy shares his thoughts on what to expect.
“I would welcome anything that would make our jobs easier,” he said. “And our ability to communicate with our law enforcement partners at the state and local level, especially in New York state. This is where Ground Zero happened. We lost thousands of citizens on that day. It was tragic. You know, our agency was born out of the ashes of that event.”
Brophy highlights one law his office would like to see repealed: the “Green Light Law,” which lets New York’s undocumented immigrants obtain a driver’s license.
Under this law, if police run a license plate, the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot share immigration status with authorities.
Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, who has many immigrants working on local farms, joins the discussion.
“I could definitely see that argument. You know, the other side would argue that this could be misused or lead to families being separated, as authorities could run plates and target people without any criminal reason,” he said.
“The law simply states that local police cannot share this information with any federal agency. That’s the core of the issue,” said state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, lead sponsor of the bill that became law.
He adds, “Fortunately, the Green Light Law is controlled by the state Legislature for motor vehicles. As long as the current administration respects the law and its intent, there’s nothing Trump or his team can do to change it. Certainly not in the New York state Senate, where we have a majority.”
Regardless of potential state-level changes, ICE must also consider the international stage.
When asked how he separates criminals from legitimate asylum seekers, Brophy responds, “We don’t have the ability to vet these people from the countries they come from. Most of these countries don’t share information with us about whether someone is wanted or has a criminal history in their home country.”