Trump border czar Tom Homan voiced strong support this week for local police officers under fire for assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a New York sanctuary city. Officers from the Rochester Police Department (RPD) are facing backlash from Democrat Mayor Malik Evans and Police Chief David Smith after responding to a call for backup from ICE on Monday and reportedly handcuffing individuals at the scene.
The department has since launched an internal investigation into the incident, the Daily Wire reported. “The officers on the scene verbally directed the occupants to get out of the vehicle, and this is against our policy,” Mayor Evans said at a press conference this week, 13 WHAM News said.
“Our policy is crystal clear. City police officers do not help or participate in federal immigration activities,” Evans said, referring to sanctuary city policy. “Every RPD officer — I’ve instructed the chief — every officer receives more training on general orders to make sure all members are fully aware and fully understand this policy.”
“From watching the body-worn camera footage, what is concerning to me is despite the fact that we were called, we went lights and sirens,” Chief Smith said. “I see in the video a total lack of urgency on the part of multiple Border Patrol officers at the scene.” He added: “We are not to be handcuffing subjects. We are not to be doing pat frisks on subjects, and we are absolutely not going to be detaining them or putting them into our cars.”
Homan has consistently expressed his support for the officers who assisted ICE, stating that he plans to come to Rochester and that “help is on the way.” He wrote on the X platform: “I stand with the officers of the Rochester, New York Police Department that answered the emergency assistance call from the U.S Border Patrol.
“The men and women of the Border Patrol have never refused the request for assistance from any law enforcement agency when they are available. That is the way it should be. Law enforcement officers should not be abandoned in the time of need because of politics,” he added. “Sanctuary policies endanger our police and the public. President Trump and AG Pam Bondi are committed to taking them on and so am I. Help is coming!”
