Binghamton Mayoral Candidate Burnett Condemns Local ICE Raids

With ICE agents now arresting people in Broome County, Binghamton mayoral candidate Miles Burnett condemned the reported raids targeting immigrant families in the city.

Burnett, the Democratic candidate challenging Republican Mayor Jared Kraham, issued a statement Wednesday claiming many of those arrested "appear to have been racially profiled while driving to work and going about their daily lives."

Kraham also released a statement about the stepped-up activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He said the "operations are taking place without the Binghamton Police Department's involvement or even their prior notification."

Burnett said the "raids are designed to create widespread fear and confusion among residents."

Kraham said city police "will not partner with ICE on these types of enforcement activities." He added that Binghamton police officers won't be allowed "to serve as task force agents for ICE."

Burnett said the actions "undermine trust in local government and public safety agencies." He said ICE raids "make Binghamton a less welcoming place for all of us."

Kraham said he remains "concerned by ICE raids and operations under the Trump administration, which have included the use of unidentified masked personnel." He said the tactics "raise serious questions around constitutional policing, due process and accountability."

The mayor also said "ICE should be transparent, quickly, in what arrests have been made and where they have been operating in our community."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.