Anti-ICE protests in Hempstead, Brentwood draw hundreds

Hundreds of protesters marched through Hempstead and Brentwood Saturday to push back against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and support Long Island's immigrant families.

The rallies, organized by a coalition of groups, were the first of four this weekend with additional protests Sunday in Huntington and Riverhead.

In Hempstead, nearly 150 people marched from a shopping center parking lot to Hempstead Village Hall in the morning. In the afternoon, nearly 300 marched about 1.5 miles along 5th Avenue from a shopping center to the Suffolk County Police Department's Third Precinct.

The immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump sparked scores of protests across Long Island beginning last year. On Saturday, demonstrators held signs, waved American flags, blew whistles and chanted together while calling for elected officials to stand up and support immigrants.

Trump in the Feb. 24 State of the Union repeated his stance that "unrestricted immigration and open borders" causes problems in the United States, from "higher medical bills, car insurance rates, rent, taxes and, perhaps most importantly, crime."

Federal officials have said the crackdown is targeting violent criminals; Newsday reported last month in Nassau County there are more immigrants in jail with no criminal history compared with those immigrants who do.

Two weeks ago, a pro-ICE caravan originating in Bellmore drove past a handful of anti-ICE demonstrations in Nassau County to show support for ICE and its mission.

Courtney Belanger of Assemble Long Island, a progressive activist group, helped organize the Brentwood rally. She said the rally locations were selected for areas of Long Island hit hardest by ICE.

"I really hope that it just helps people see that these are our neighbors, our friends, our family, and they need our help," she said.

Belanger said they chose to march toward the police department after ICE agents were seen using three Suffolk precincts, although the department maintains it does not cooperate with ICE.

Maryorie Saravia, 22, of Bay Shore, said as a child of immigrants she feels it's important to support the communities "under attack."

At the Brentwood rally, she said friends of hers have been detained and deported and for her the issue is "personal."

Saravia, who was born in the United States and whose family is Salvadoran, said at the Brentwood rally she remembered during the first Trump administration how her younger siblings felt scared their parents would be taken.

"I remember that uncertainty I felt," she said. "I can't imagine how people who are undocumented feel."

Hazel Leon, of the nonprofit Así Vamos NY, helped organize the Hempstead rally. She said part of the messaging was to support state legislation called the New York For All Act that would bar state and local agencies from collaborating with federal immigration officials.

She said in an interview the legislation "will really help protect our immigrant communities right now from the collusion that is happening between our local police and our federal immigration."

One day earlier, a coalition of Long Island community groups held a news conference to urge Nassau County to end its cooperation with ICE.

The youngest speaker at the Hempstead rally, 13-year-old Hailey Ramos, recited an essay she wrote sharing how the immigrant crackdown affects children. She described kids being afraid to go to school and others unable to focus on classwork when they're wondering if their parents will still be there at the end of the day.

"Children shouldn't be used as leverage," she said.

Nathaly Ramos, 31, of Uniondale, proudly embraced her daughter when she finished speaking, as the crowd loudly cheered.

"I want everybody to know exactly how kids her age feel," she said afterward in an interview.

Ramos said while her daughter is mostly a shy kid, she expresses herself through writing. Hailey, who's in eighth grade, said she felt it was important to use her voice.

"It's an honor speaking up about your country," she said. "It's an honor speaking about how proud you are for where you're from, your roots, your family."