Police Chief provides clarity on immigration enforcement

The Shelter Island Police Department is committed to enforcing laws impartially to ensure the safety of everyone, without regard to their immigration status, Police Chief Jim Read told the Town Board at Tuesday’s work session.

“Over the past several weeks, there has been discussion regarding a proposed local law related to public safety and immigration enforcement, along with concerns stemming from activity in neighboring communities,” Chief Read said. “I understand that this has raised questions about what role, if any, the Shelter Island Police Department plays in these matters.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Hugo Leonel Ardon Osorio in Greenport’s North Ferry Line in February as he was on his way to work at Marcello Masonry on Shelter Island, where he had been employed for about two decades. Two other long-time Greenport residents were arrested around the same time on immigration charges. 

And in February 2025, federal police officers from several agencies were on the streets of Greenport. They stopped people and went into a laundromat on a Sunday morning, questioning people at random doing their laundry, and arrested two individuals. 

Chief Read spoke about his recognition that clarity of Island Police responses is what brought him to the session. He spoke personally, on the issue. “About 40 years ago, when I was in the police academy learning the different aspects of the law, it was stressed to us that immigration law was one area we did not enforce,” he said. “At the time, I remember thinking — we enforce so many other laws, why not that one? I didn’t fully understand it. Looking back now, especially in light of everything we’re seeing nationally and even in our region, I do understand it — and I’m grateful for that distinction.”

He added that “maintaining public trust is critical to what we do. People need to feel safe coming forward as victims, witnesses, or simply asking for help. Blurring that line would undermine that trust and, in my view, would fundamentally change who we are as a local police department and what we represent in the community … We are a local law enforcement agency. Our responsibility is public safety and the enforcement of criminal law. We do not enforce civil immigration law. That responsibility lies with federal agencies. Our focus is, and will remain, serving and protecting the Shelter Island community.”

Maintaining public trust is critical for Island officers to do their jobs effectively, he added.

No one should fear entering the Police Department headquarters, Chief Read told the Town Board, whether it’s to report a crime, ask for help or assist in an investigation. There are policies in place as guides to carrying out the job fairly and with respect for privacy. “Standards are already in place through existing law, department policy and our daily practices and they are subject to direct oversight by the Town Board as police commissioners,” he said.

Residents have direct access to the Police Department and Town leadership, Chief Read added. “Our goal is simple — to serve this community professionally, fairly, and with respect for everyone who lives here — regardless of immigration status.”