Elected officials and community activists to protest ICE presence at Pelham Town Court (with correction)
Daronco Town House.
Editor’s note: The following press release corrects an earlier one that was issued by State Senator Alessandra Biaggi.
CORRECTION: The below advisory has incorrect information. It is not true that the Pelham Manor police notified ICE. ICE found out about the arrest when the fingerprints were entered into the national system. In fact, the Pelham Town Justices are voluntarily implementing the guidance of the Office of Court Administration, even though they are not legally required to do so. We apologize to Pelham and Pelham Manor. In addition, Mr. Duque’s case was postponed until May.
The broad issues are still relevant and the event will take place as scheduled to support passage of state legislation.
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and other elected officials and community activists will gather to highlight the injustice of ICE appearing in town court and to highlight the dire need to allow immigrants to gain access to drivers licenses Thursday, April 25, 5:30 pm at the Pelham Town Court, Daronco Townhouse, 20 5th Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803.
Last week, a day after the Office of Court Administration created a new rule to limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in New York courthouses, ICE agents showed up to an undocumented resident’s criminal court hearing at the Pelham Town Court in an attempt to detain him. Local law enforcement arrested Carlos Duque for driving without a valid license, after which the police called ICE to inform them of the arrest. Duque is expected to be back in court at 6pm tomorrow and there is a risk that ICE will show up again and try to arrest him.
WHAT: Rally at Pelham Town Court to protest ICE coming to court and demand drivers’ licenses for immigrants
WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 5:30 pm
WHERE: Pelham Town Court, Daronco Townhouse, 20 5th Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803
WHO: State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, other elected officials, community and immigration activists.
Drew Kennelly • Apr 25, 2019 at 6:16 pm
It is time to stop the crap and deport all illegal aliens.
Tom Imperato • Apr 25, 2019 at 5:48 pm
ICE contacted the VoPM PD, Sen. Biaggi’s original statement was factually incorrect. I expect more from a state senator I voted for. Do your homework before accusing our hardworking first responders of misdeeds.
Claire Persanis • Apr 25, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Did the PMPD call ICE or did ICE contact PMPD after the suspect’s information was entered into a law enforcement database? I have heard reports of both. This is an important distinction that needs to be made. I would like to know if a local PD is actively reporting to ICE or merely responding when contacted by a federal agency.
Van Snyder • Apr 25, 2019 at 2:16 pm
LEGAL immigrants can ALREADY get dricers licenses. LEGAL!!!!
This also leaves out the fact that he has 2 FELONIES.
From the Village of Pelham Manor FB page: “Response to Inquiries Regarding the Arrest of Carlos Duque on 4/2/19:
Carlos Duque was pulled over lawfully in Pelham Manor for a violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL). He is charged with several violations and crimes, including two felonies. During routine arrest processing, Mr. Duque was fingerprinted, and his prints were entered into a law enforcement database. Both state and federal law enforcement agencies contacted our police department regarding this arrest, and the department responded to their inquiries. The case is now being handled by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.”