ROCHESTER, NY - The latest showdown in the dispute between the Trump administration and far-left “sanctuary” jurisdictions defying President Trump’s executive order requiring cities and states to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making its way to Rochester, New York, where city officials have their panties in a bunch over a recent traffic stop where Rochester police assisted in apprehending illegal aliens.
The incident happened on Monday, March 24, when federal agents stopped a van containing approximately eight individuals who were not cooperating. ICE asked for assistance, and Rochester police, who were doing their job, responded, according to The New York Post. They helped get the suspects out of the van and cuffed them.
That led Rochester’s far-left mayor, Malik Evans, to sharply criticize the police officers who went to help their fellow law enforcement brethren, claiming they violated policy, according to WHAM-13.
“Our policy clearly states that the Rochester Police Department is not responsible for and does not engage in enforcement of immigration laws,” Evans bloviated during a Wednesday media briefing.
If anyone thought the police chief would come to the defense of his police officers, they would be wrong.
“What is also very concerning is that RPD officers went out of view of the supervisor who is on scene to initiate contact with occupants of the vehicle while Border Patrol stands by, when, in reality, they should be initiating contact,” Chief David Smith said. “We should be there ensuring their safety.
“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,” he continued. “We are not to be handcuffing subjects” in those circumstances. “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.”
Typical political hack big city police chief.
Under Rochester’s sanctuary city resolution, passed in 1986 and affirmed in 2017, along with Rochester Police Department General Order 502, officers are prohibited from enforcing federal immigration laws.
In response to the criticism leveled at Rochester officers, Border Czar Tom Homan has promised to visit the city to show support for them.
On Friday, the Rochester Police Locust Club, the city’s police union, tweeted that its president and lawyer had “just met privately” with Homan and that he “offered his unwavering support and encouragement to the men and women of the [Rochester Police Department]!”
Officers also received support Friday from State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a Republican, who criticized Evans and Smith’s criticism of city police officers.
“I don’t represent the city of Rochester, but it angered me,” Ortt said. “These officers didn’t respond, they weren’t immigration officers, they weren’t asking about their legal status. That’s not what happened.” He also said he wants to pass legislation to “uncuff law enforcement from properly executing public safety tasks.” He also accused city leaders of “criminal-coddling.”
State Sen. George Borello, a Republican whose district borders Rochester, slammed the city’s police chief in a statement to The Post.
“It’s outrageous that the Rochester chief of police didn’t back up his cops. He should be replaced,” he said. “That’s something you expect from far-left politicians–not the chief of police!”
“The cops did what they should have done. The sanctuary policies are part of the problem. These politicians have turned Rochester into a crime-ridden hellhole. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
Police union rep Kevin Leckinger said, “This incident shines an unfortunate light on the creep of politics into the arena of law enforcement. Our members didn’t violate any law or policy, and aren’t driving by a political agenda.”
In a tweet on X Friday, Homan expressed his support for the officers.
“I stand with the officers of the Rochester, New York police department that answered the emergency assistance call from U.S. Border Patrol,” he wrote.
“That is the way it should be. Law enforcement officers should not be abandoned in the time of need because of politics.
“Sanctuary policies endanger our police and the public…Help is coming!”
ICE issued a statement that read, “On March 24, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alongside our federal law enforcement partners, began conducting enhanced targeted operations in parts of New York to enforce U.S. immigration law. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
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