No dice.
Islip is not booting ICE.
Supervisor Angie Carpenter and the rest of the Town Board rejected an attempt by town Councilman Jorge Guadrón to introduce a resolution Tuesday that would have suspended a controversial town contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
That contract allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to train at the town’s rifle and pistol range.
ICE, which is overseen by Homeland Security, is using the range for long firearms qualification training. Homeland Security has used the range since 2008, according to the resolution. It’s authorized to do so through June 30, 2026.
The resolution was not on the Town Board meeting agenda, but Guadrón made a motion to suspend the rules of procedure so that he could introduce it.
That motion was soundly and unanimously rejected, and a packed Town Hall erupted.
“Angie you’re disgusting!” yelled one attendee. “You truly are so awful!” yelled another. “You should be embarrassed!”
“Shame on you!” several people shouted.
The resolution, acquired by Greater Long Island, had sought to suspend access to the rifle range for ICE officers “until such time as the Town Board determines that community concerns with respect to the conduct of ICE officers have been adequately addressed.”
Many of those concerns were on display during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, which stretched for nearly two hours before matters switched to resolution votes.
Most residents who spoke out against the town’s contract took issue with ICE agents wearing masks during their enforcement efforts, claimed due process is not being followed by the federal government and that immigrants are being “kidnapped” and local families “torn apart.”
“We do not need ICE agents honing their skills and attitudes on our residents,” Joseph Fritz of Brentwood said during the public portion of Tuesday’s Town Board meeting at Islip Town Hall.
He said he was speaking on behalf of the North Islip Democratic Club as a press spokesman.
“Because of the change in the nature of their activities lately, they’re terrorizing our community and we shouldn’t support them,” said Brenda Gellis of Bayport.
“They are nothing more than gestapo!” said another woman, speaking of ICE agents.
Barbara Kurek of East Islip, who said she recently visited the Anne Frank exhibit in New York City, likened ICE agent enforcement methods under President Donald Trump to those of Nazi Germany.
“Some of the people being picked up by ICE have been here for 10, 20 or 30 years and have been reporting regularly to their immigration appointments,” she said. “They’re not rapists and murderers. They are students, landscapers, cleaning ladies and even a bagel store manager. They’ve committed no crimes. We should be giving them a pathway to permanent legal residency.”
She called the behavior of ICE agents “reminiscent of the Nazi police … I think it behooves everyone to stand against this behavior, and that means not supporting it in any way. This is not business as usual.”
She called on the Town Board to end its contract with Homeland Security as a protest against ICE agent “tactics.”
Another resident, Kyle Flanders, said the town cannot “end ICE,” but can be a national example of moral fortitude by suspending its contract with Homeland Security.
The meeting was raucous at times but orderly — up until the end — with residents chanting and applauding speakers. There was also some jawing between those within the packed meeting room.
One resident spoke in favor of the Trump administration’s ramped-up deportation policies.
“I voted for Trump. I want Trump,” said Jim Schlow of Central Islip. “I want him to get rid of the illegal immigrants in this country … I’m tired of looking at this [displaying photos]. Look at the street, look at all those cars. These houses are packed with people; I’ve never seen anything like it.
“These houses are single-family houses. They’re paying the same taxes that I’m paying on a house with one person in it. These are not families. This is ridiculous.”
Responding to jeers, he implored “all you liberals” who had spoken out Tuesday to buy his home.
“You want to buy my house and live in Central Islip and put up with all the music until 4 in the morning? Buy my house. I’ll sell it to you.”
He had urged the Town Board to support ICE, and keep the contract in place.
Top: The town’s contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to train at the town’s rifle and pistol range through June 30, 2026. (Credit: Mike White)
