Wayne County Sheriff Clarifies Role in Immigration Enforcement

Amid ongoing national discussions about immigration enforcement, Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby has issued a statement clarifying his office’s role and addressing concerns about local deportation efforts.

In response to inquiries from media outlets, Milby reaffirmed that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office does not engage in immigration enforcement actions, such as stopping or detaining individuals based on their immigration status. He emphasized that civil immigration violations fall under federal jurisdiction, specifically that of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Our policy at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has been very consistent over many years,” Milby stated. “We do not stop anyone based upon suspicion of illegal status in this country. We do not detain anyone based upon immigration status.”

The Sheriff also addressed concerns about possible ICE activity in Wayne County, stating that, as of now, his office has not been made aware of any ICE operations in the area. He referenced recent discussions in Washington, D.C., where he met with former acting ICE director Tom Homan, who reportedly stated that ICE is not conducting large-scale raids but is instead focusing on arresting individuals with known criminal backgrounds.

“There have been rumors in many communities that ICE is conducting raids, and Wayne County has not been immune to these claims,” Milby said. “At this time, we have no knowledge of any ICE enforcement actions occurring locally.”

While reiterating that his office does not participate in immigration sweeps, Milby stated that the Sheriff’s Office would respond if called upon for emergency assistance by federal authorities. He also clarified that if a federal detainer is issued for an individual already held in the Wayne County Jail, the Sheriff's Office would notify federal authorities of the individual's release time but would not hold them beyond what state law permits.

Beyond enforcement issues, Milby voiced concerns about border security, citing national trends related to drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized crime. He referenced statistics from the Swanton Sector, which covers New York and Vermont, showing an increase in encounters at the northern U.S. border, and he linked drug trafficking to local overdose deaths in Wayne County.

“In the last two years, over 66% of our overdose deaths in Wayne County involved fentanyl, which we know is trafficked across our borders,” he said.

Milby also discussed concerns about international criminal organizations, stating that foreign gangs have been operating within New York State. He underscored his belief that stricter border security measures have contributed to a reduction in illegal crossings since January, attributing a drop from approximately 11,000 daily encounters to around 600.

“The members of your Sheriff’s Office are committed to a safe Wayne County,” Milby concluded.

The Sheriff’s statement comes amid broader debates over immigration policy and border security at both the state and federal levels.