Hundreds Rally with Islip Forward and Lt. Gov. Delgado to Demand End to Islip’s ICE Contract

ISLIP, N.Y. — Islip Forward brought more than 100 residents to the streets of Islip Town Hall on Saturday, joined by Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, to call on the Town of Islip to immediately end its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In freezing temperatures, community members lined Main Street as large-scale projections reading “ICE OUT OF ISLIP” and “ICE OUT OF LONG ISLAND” illuminated the façade of Town Hall. The action comes amid rising public concern over the town’s agreement allowing ICE to train in local facilities—an arrangement the town has yet to publicly explain.

For many who gathered, the consequences of ICE’s presence are not abstract. Wendy Rojano, a Long Island resident, shared that her father was detained by ICE on November 9 in Farmingville while buying a cup of coffee at a 7-Eleven, despite having no criminal record. Her family is now struggling to stay afloat.

Sightings were received via Islip Forward's Long Island ICE Tracker in July of ICE and ERO agents training on residential streets adjacent to the Town of Islip Shooting Range, running past daycares, dance studios, and other prominent community areas in military fatigues. 

“This contract has operated in the shadows for too long,” said Ahmad Perez, founder of Islip Forward. “Residents deserve transparency, and they deserve a local government that refuses to enable the separation of innocent families.”

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado called on town officials to directly address the concerns raised by residents. "Our kids are living with the quiet, constant fear that one knock at the door could tear everything apart."

Islip Forward will continue to escalate public actions in the coming weeks as pressure builds for the Town Board to end its partnership with ICE.