The sheriffs of Ontario and Seneca counties issued separate statements in February 2025 clarifying their departments’ legal limitations regarding immigration enforcement, noting that deputies are not authorized to arrest or detain individuals solely based on immigration status under federal and New York State law. Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Thompson stated that his facility will honor federal arrest warrants signed by a magistrate, and that deputies will assist federal immigration authorities in emergency situations at a commanding officer’s discretion. Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby, who serves on the National Sheriff’s Association Border Security Committee, provided broader context tying local immigration issues to national security and drug trafficking concerns along New York’s northern border.

Read more: Ontario and Seneca County Sheriffs Clarify Roles in Immigration Enforcement