(NewsNation) — A county executive in New York is vowing to hire more police and increase cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement if Zohran Mamdani wins the race for mayor of New York City.
Mamdani, a Democrat, has advocated for progressive policies and has said he would reduce cooperation with federal immigration actions if elected.
In response, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman promised to strengthen cooperation with ICE and hire more police officers.
Nassau County is already working with ICE, dedicating 10 detectives to work with the agency and using local facilities for detention. The county has held 3,000 people in detention as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
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Blakeman is a Trump ally. The president has repeatedly made statements opposing Mamdani’s candidacy, claiming that Mamdani is a communist and is in the country illegally. Neither of those things is true.
Mamdani is running against Republican Curtis Sliwa and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. Mamdani has been leading in the polls as the election approaches.
Blakeman did not specify exactly how the county would work more closely with ICE if Mamdani wins.
Blakeman is also up for reelection and is opposed by Democrat Seth Koslow, who has vowed to end the county’s deal with ICE if he wins.
