About a million people of all backgrounds are expected to go through the gates at the New York State Fair during its 13-day run, and federal immigration agents may see it as an opportunity to seek undocumented immigrants. But Governor Kathy Hochul said on opening day the state policy is clear.
“We have very strong protocols on our expectations. If an ICE agent arrives here, they have to show identification,” she said. “They have to have a warrant or a civil arrest record.”
That means agents need names of people they believe are on the fairgrounds and cannot enter to conduct random searches. The fair’s immigration enforcement policy is spelled out under the Rules of Conduct section of its website. It says in part that any agent who does not provide ID or a warrant will be deemed a trespasser and reported to New York State Police. The fair has anticipated nearly every scenario.
“We have pre-safety meetings all 11 months of the year leading up to the fair,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “So, we talk about any topic that we think could be a concern and that is included in our planning. We try to prepare for anything that's happening in the world right now that could spill into the fairgrounds.”
ICE conducted its last known regional crackdown in April, when 100 people were arrested across Upstate New York, including Syracuse. Since then, there have been sporadic reports of individual arrests.
Here’s the fair’s policy from its website:
CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
Federal immigration authorities must identify themselves at the State Fair Administration Building, provide identification and produce a judicial warrant prior to executing a civil arrest or conducting any related civil enforcement activity.
Federal immigration authorities observed engaging in civil immigration enforcement activities on the Fairgrounds who have not: (1) identified themselves to a designated State official at the State Fair Administration Building; (2) provided notice of their intent to engage in civil enforcement activities; and (3) presented a judicial warrant authorizing them to conduct such activities, will be requested to immediately cease the activity, provide identification, and produce a judicial warrant. Any individual presenting as a federal immigration authority and engaging in civil immigration enforcement activities on the Fairgrounds who refuses or is unable to comply with the identification, notice, and/or warrant presentation requirements, will be deemed a trespasser and the New York State Police will be notified.
Anyone having questions regarding the policy should contact the State Fair's Emergency Management Office.
