Communications Between Peekskill Police Department and ICE Regarding President Donald Trump’s Mass Immigration Deportation Efforts

Jordan Lassiter

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

February 12,2025

To:
Peekskill City Clerk
Peekskill City Hall
840 Main Street
Peekskill, NY 10566

Subject: Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request – Communications Between Peekskill Police Department and ICE Regarding President Donald Trump’s Mass Immigration Deportation Efforts

To Whom It May Concern,

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

Scope of Request: Specific Records Sought

To ensure a thorough and transparent response, I request copies of all relevant records, including but not limited to:
1. Interagency Communications
• All emails, memoranda, reports, letters, meeting minutes, and any other form of written or electronic communication between the Peekskill Police Department and ICE from January 1, 2025, to the present date that pertain to:
• Cooperation or assistance in mass deportation enforcement efforts initiated by the Trump administration.
• Requests from ICE regarding arrests, detentions, or transfers of undocumented individuals within the jurisdiction of Peekskill.
• Local law enforcement policies regarding ICE detainers, immigration holds, and warrant-based arrests.
• Specific operations conducted jointly or with support from ICE agents in Peekskill, NY.
2. Internal Policy Documents and Training Materials
• Copies of all internal policies, directives, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or training materials that guide or instruct Peekskill law enforcement officers in:
• Handling interactions with ICE agents or federal immigration enforcement officers.
• Responding to ICE requests for assistance, including arrests or surveillance of suspected undocumented individuals.
• Compliance with or rejection of federal ICE detainer requests.
• The extent to which local officers are authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.
• How local law enforcement balances public safety duties with immigration enforcement under New York’s sanctuary state policies.
3. Agreements, Contracts, and MOUs
• Copies of any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), contracts, or formal/informal agreements between the Peekskill Police Department and ICE that specify:
• The roles, responsibilities, and limitations of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement.
• Financial arrangements, grants, or funding provided in exchange for cooperation with ICE operations.
• Any formal participation in ICE’s 287(g) program or similar immigration enforcement collaborations.
4. Operational and Surveillance Data
• Documents detailing:
• The frequency, dates, and locations of ICE operations conducted in Peekskill with local law enforcement assistance.
• The number of arrests, detentions, and deportations resulting from Peekskill PD’s cooperation with ICE.
• Surveillance data, if any, related to suspected undocumented individuals collected, stored, or shared with ICE.
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 FOIL request aligns with the well-established presumption of access under Public Officers Law § 87(2) and the principle of government transparency affirmed in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971). Courts have consistently upheld the public’s right to scrutinize government activities, particularly those affecting fundamental rights such as immigration enforcement.

Additionally, under Buffalo Broadcasting Co. v. New York State Dep’t of Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106 (3d Dep’t 1990), New York courts have ruled that government agencies must disclose non-exempt records and provide legally sufficient justifications for withholding information. Agencies cannot refuse disclosure simply due to potential controversy or political sensitivity.

The public has a vested interest in understanding how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration agencies, particularly under controversial mass deportation policies. The requested records will contribute to informed public debate regarding the role of local police in immigration enforcement and potential conflicts with state policies limiting cooperation with ICE.

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 subject to public disclosure laws. I request that no documents responsive to this request be deleted, altered, or destroyed while this FOIL request is under consideration.

Fee Waiver Request

I request a waiver of all applicable fees for the processing of this request. This request serves the public interest by promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices and is not for commercial use. 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 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). Given the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding local-federal cooperation in immigration enforcement, access to this information in a timely manner is essential.

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 timeframe for disclosure. Please provide responsive records in electronic format whenever possible.

If any portions of the requested records are determined to be exempt, I request that all non-exempt portions be disclosed as per Gould v. New York City Police Dep’t, 89 N.Y.2d 267 (1996). Redactions must be accompanied by specific legal justifications.

Contact Information

Should you require any clarifications, please contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu. I appreciate your cooperation in ensuring transparency regarding this important public matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report