Communications Between Ossining Police Department and ICE Regarding Immigration Enforcement Policies

Jordan Lassiter

Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu

Date: February 12, 2025

To:
Records Access Officer
Ossining Police Department
Ossining Village Hall
16 Croton Avenue
Ossining, NY 10562

Subject: FOIL Request – Communications Between Ossining Police Department and ICE Regarding Immigration Enforcement Policies

To Whom It May Concern,

Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, I hereby request access to and copies of all records, communications, and documentation related to cooperation, coordination, and enforcement actions between the Ossining Police Department (OPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding immigration enforcement efforts under the administration of President Donald J. Trump.

This request seeks to understand how local law enforcement collaborates with federal immigration authorities and whether ICE has made requests or conducted enforcement operations with the involvement of OPD.

Scope of Request: Specific Records Sought

I request copies of all relevant records, including but not limited to:

1. Communications Between Ossining Police Department and ICE
• Copies of all emails, letters, faxes, text messages, memos, reports, and meeting minutes exchanged between OPD officials, officers, detectives, or other personnel and ICE agents or representatives from January 1, 2025, to the present regarding:
• Requests for assistance in immigration enforcement or investigations.
• ICE detainers or holds placed on individuals in OPD custody.
• Coordination of targeted immigration enforcement operations in Ossining.
• The handling of individuals suspected of immigration violations encountered during routine policing.
• Any requests for personal data, residency information, or surveillance on specific individuals from ICE.

2. Policies and Training Materials Regarding ICE Cooperation
• Copies of all official OPD policies, directives, and guidelines regarding:
• Procedures for responding to ICE requests for assistance, detainers, or arrests.
• Restrictions, if any, on OPD officers sharing information with federal immigration authorities.
• Whether OPD officers have been trained or instructed on immigration enforcement matters.
• How OPD ensures compliance with New York State’s sanctuary laws limiting cooperation with ICE.

3. Agreements, Contracts, and MOUs Between OPD and ICE
• Copies of any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), agreements, contracts, or funding arrangements between the Ossining Police Department and ICE, specifically regarding:
• OPD’s role in assisting or facilitating federal immigration enforcement.
• Any financial grants, federal funding, or reimbursements provided to OPD related to ICE cooperation.
• Participation in ICE programs such as the 287(g) program or any formal task force agreements.

4. Records of ICE-Related Law Enforcement Actions in Ossining
• Any incident reports, arrest logs, call logs, or visitor logs documenting:
• ICE agents visiting OPD headquarters or interacting with officers.
• OPD officers assisting in ICE enforcement actions in Ossining.
• Any arrests, detentions, or deportations involving OPD cooperation with ICE.
• Complaints or internal reviews regarding alleged racial profiling or civil rights violations related to ICE involvement.

5. Metadata for Electronic Communications
• For all emails or electronic messages responsive to this request, I request metadata including:
• Sender and recipient information.
• Timestamps of messages exchanged.
• Subject lines and attachment details.

Legal Justification for Disclosure

This request aligns with Public Officers Law § 87(2), which grants the public the right to access government records unless specific exemptions apply. Courts have repeatedly emphasized the presumption of openness in government affairs (New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971)).

Additionally, in Buffalo Broadcasting Co. v. New York State Dep’t of Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106 (3d Dep’t 1990), the courts ruled that government agencies must justify withholding records and cannot deny access without a legitimate exemption under FOIL.

Given the ongoing national debate over local police cooperation with ICE, the public has a strong interest in understanding how OPD enforces federal immigration policies and whether local law enforcement is acting in compliance with or in contradiction to state-level sanctuary protections.

Obligation to Preserve and Provide Records

Under Armstrong v. Executive Office of the President, 1 F.3d 1274 (D.C. Cir. 1993), government entities must preserve records that are subject to public disclosure laws. Accordingly, I request that no responsive records be deleted, altered, or destroyed while this FOIL request is under consideration.

Fee Waiver Request

I request a waiver of all applicable fees for processing this request. Disclosure of these records serves the public interest by promoting government transparency and accountability and is not for commercial purposes.

Under Matter of New York Times Co. v. City of New York Fire Dep’t, 4 N.Y.3d 477 (2005), fee waivers should be granted when disclosure benefits the general public.

However, if a fee waiver is denied, I agree to pay up to $100 in processing fees. Please notify me in advance if costs will exceed this amount.

Request for Expedited Processing

Due to the urgent and time-sensitive nature of this request, I request expedited processing. Under Matter of Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, 50 N.Y.2d 575 (1980), timely disclosure of information concerning public safety and civil liberties is essential for public oversight.

Response Format and Timeline

Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3)(a), I expect an acknowledgment of receipt within five (5) business days and an estimated timeline for disclosure.

Please provide electronic copies of records whenever possible. If any records are withheld or redacted, I request a written explanation citing specific legal exemptions in accordance with Gould v. New York City Police Dep’t, 89 N.Y.2d 267 (1996).

Contact Information

Should you require any clarification or additional details, please contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your commitment to transparency.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report

Jordan Lassiter

Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu

Date: February 12, 2025

To:
Records Access Officer
Ossining Police Department
Ossining Village Hall
16 Croton Avenue
Ossining, NY 10562

Subject: FOIL Request – Communications Between Ossining Police Department and ICE Regarding Immigration Enforcement Policies

To Whom It May Concern,

Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, I hereby request access to and copies of all records, communications, and documentation related to cooperation, coordination, and enforcement actions between the Ossining Police Department (OPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding immigration enforcement efforts under the administration of President Donald J. Trump.

This request seeks to understand how local law enforcement collaborates with federal immigration authorities and whether ICE has made requests or conducted enforcement operations with the involvement of OPD.

Scope of Request: Specific Records Sought

I request copies of all relevant records, including but not limited to:

1. Communications Between Ossining Police Department and ICE
• Copies of all emails, letters, faxes, text messages, memos, reports, and meeting minutes exchanged between OPD officials, officers, detectives, or other personnel and ICE agents or representatives from January 1, 2025, to the present regarding:
• Requests for assistance in immigration enforcement or investigations.
• ICE detainers or holds placed on individuals in OPD custody.
• Coordination of targeted immigration enforcement operations in Ossining.
• The handling of individuals suspected of immigration violations encountered during routine policing.
• Any requests for personal data, residency information, or surveillance on specific individuals from ICE.

2. Policies and Training Materials Regarding ICE Cooperation
• Copies of all official OPD policies, directives, and guidelines regarding:
• Procedures for responding to ICE requests for assistance, detainers, or arrests.
• Restrictions, if any, on OPD officers sharing information with federal immigration authorities.
• Whether OPD officers have been trained or instructed on immigration enforcement matters.
• How OPD ensures compliance with New York State’s sanctuary laws limiting cooperation with ICE.

3. Agreements, Contracts, and MOUs Between OPD and ICE
• Copies of any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), agreements, contracts, or funding arrangements between the Ossining Police Department and ICE, specifically regarding:
• OPD’s role in assisting or facilitating federal immigration enforcement.
• Any financial grants, federal funding, or reimbursements provided to OPD related to ICE cooperation.
• Participation in ICE programs such as the 287(g) program or any formal task force agreements.

4. Records of ICE-Related Law Enforcement Actions in Ossining
• Any incident reports, arrest logs, call logs, or visitor logs documenting:
• ICE agents visiting OPD headquarters or interacting with officers.
• OPD officers assisting in ICE enforcement actions in Ossining.
• Any arrests, detentions, or deportations involving OPD cooperation with ICE.
• Complaints or internal reviews regarding alleged racial profiling or civil rights violations related to ICE involvement.

5. Metadata for Electronic Communications
• For all emails or electronic messages responsive to this request, I request metadata including:
• Sender and recipient information.
• Timestamps of messages exchanged.
• Subject lines and attachment details.

Legal Justification for Disclosure

This request aligns with Public Officers Law § 87(2), which grants the public the right to access government records unless specific exemptions apply. Courts have repeatedly emphasized the presumption of openness in government affairs (New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971)).

Additionally, in Buffalo Broadcasting Co. v. New York State Dep’t of Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106 (3d Dep’t 1990), the courts ruled that government agencies must justify withholding records and cannot deny access without a legitimate exemption under FOIL.

Given the ongoing national debate over local police cooperation with ICE, the public has a strong interest in understanding how OPD enforces federal immigration policies and whether local law enforcement is acting in compliance with or in contradiction to state-level sanctuary protections.

Obligation to Preserve and Provide Records

Under Armstrong v. Executive Office of the President, 1 F.3d 1274 (D.C. Cir. 1993), government entities must preserve records that are subject to public disclosure laws. Accordingly, I request that no responsive records be deleted, altered, or destroyed while this FOIL request is under consideration.

Fee Waiver Request

I request a waiver of all applicable fees for processing this request. Disclosure of these records serves the public interest by promoting government transparency and accountability and is not for commercial purposes.

Under Matter of New York Times Co. v. City of New York Fire Dep’t, 4 N.Y.3d 477 (2005), fee waivers should be granted when disclosure benefits the general public.

However, if a fee waiver is denied, I agree to pay up to $100 in processing fees. Please notify me in advance if costs will exceed this amount.

Request for Expedited Processing

Due to the urgent and time-sensitive nature of this request, I request expedited processing. Under Matter of Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, 50 N.Y.2d 575 (1980), timely disclosure of information concerning public safety and civil liberties is essential for public oversight.

Response Format and Timeline

Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3)(a), I expect an acknowledgment of receipt within five (5) business days and an estimated timeline for disclosure.

Please provide electronic copies of records whenever possible. If any records are withheld or redacted, I request a written explanation citing specific legal exemptions in accordance with Gould v. New York City Police Dep’t, 89 N.Y.2d 267 (1996).

Contact Information

Should you require any clarification or additional details, please contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your commitment to transparency.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report