A growing number of Central New Yorkers are contacting their U.S. lawmakers about the use of federal immigration agents and the military in the streets of American communities. The ICE raid at a protein bar factory in Cato last month shocked many in the normally quiet rural community. It moved Abigail of Baldwinsville to call in to a recent telephone town hall hosted by Congressmember John Mannion.
“What can we do when ICE comes to our work or the neighborhood soccer game? How can we protect our friends and family, who are targets of ICE?" she asked. "I'm a mom of three. I got two little girls and we attend all kinds of different stuff. And I'm just waiting for it to happen. And I just want to know what I can do to help."
“Well, thank you for the question and your concern. And of course, I'm concerned," Mannion replied.
He said people should contact his office regarding any immigration issues.
"Our office has helped many individuals that have engaged with ICE," Mannion said. "We have people very dedicated with a tremendous amount of expertise who have effectively worked through some of these cases, and people did end up with a good resolution."
He added that we need comprehensive immigration and a secure border. At the same time, he said, ICE's tactics are unacceptable.
“What we're seeing here is something that's very draconian and un-American. Sometimes they [immigrants] have been deported, as we've seen here locally in Cato, without due process, without the ability to speak with legal counsel."
Mannion said experts in his office have resolved several immigration issues. Another caller worried about free and fair elections in the 2026 mid-terms, especially as the military is being deployed to large cities in blue states. Mannion said he’s ready to push back against congressional Republicans and others who attempt to undermine elections.
“People are justifiably scared," he said. "Their concerns about a declaration of martial law, when they see military in the streets, when we do not have crises occurring, they think, are we going to have elections?”
Mannion said his office is working with voting rights groups who are ready to take legal action to protect elections.
