Rivertown Leaders Condemn ICE Tactics, Call for Reform

Five village boards pass resolutions urging federal government to investigate and reform immigration enforcement agencies

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In the first three weeks of February, five rivertown village boards in New York passed formal resolutions expressing concern over tactics utilized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents. The resolutions call for the federal government to conduct an independent investigation of the agencies, adopt procedures to prevent abuse, and consider reform of these enforcement agencies.

Why it matters

The resolutions highlight growing community concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on public safety and civil rights. The villages are taking a stance against federal policies by refusing to cooperate with ICE and CBP, raising questions about the balance of power between local and federal authorities.

The details

The resolutions, drafted with the help of Irvington lawyer and Westchester County legislator David Imamura, state that the villages will not engage in activities solely for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws or honor detention requests from immigration enforcement agencies without a judicial warrant. The villages also commit to not sharing personal information unless there is evidence of criminal activity.

  • The Ardsley trustees approved their resolution on February 3, 2026.
  • The Hastings-on-Hudson board unanimously adopted their resolution on February 3, 2026.
  • The Dobbs Ferry board adopted their resolution a week later, on February 10, 2026.
  • The Tarrytown trustees and Ossining board passed nearly identical resolutions on February 18, 2026.

The players

David Imamura

An Irvington lawyer and current Westchester County legislator who advised the rivertown governments on drafting the resolutions.

John Barbalet

The Tarrytown Police Chief who explained his department's policies regarding interactions with ICE agents.

Marjorie Hsu

The Mayor of Sleepy Hollow, which has not passed a formal resolution but has developed its own policies to respond to ICE incidents.

Carola Otero Bracco

The Executive Director of the refugee support group Neighbors Link, who worked with Sleepy Hollow's mayor to develop an ICE response template.

Alberta Jarane

An African American business owner in Tarrytown who employs vulnerable immigrants and advocates for the two communities, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, to work together on this issue.

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What they’re saying

“We have policies on how to interact with ICE if they come here. We don't.”

— John Barbalet, Tarrytown Police Chief (thehudsonindependent.com)

“There is a certain level of agility and nimbleness that we as a community must exhibit at all times. This is an issue that I as a businessperson in Tarrytown think about daily, hourly.”

— Alberta Jarane, Tarrytown business owner (thehudsonindependent.com)

“What do you think (these resolutions) will accomplish in our neighboring villages? Will it make immigrants safer?”

— Marjorie Hsu, Sleepy Hollow Mayor (thehudsonindependent.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This coordinated action by rivertown leaders highlights the growing tensions between local communities and federal immigration enforcement, as villages seek to protect the civil rights and safety of all residents while navigating the complex balance of power with the federal government.