Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has firmly stated that Nassau County will support President-elect Donald Trump's policy of mass deportation. In an interview for News 12’s Power & Politics, Blakeman made it clear that the county would assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

He went on to say that Nassau County is committed to working alongside U.S. immigration agencies. Blakeman argued that this was necessary to improve public safety.

“We have organized crime here from places like Chile and Venezuela, that's wrong. It's creating an unsafe environment in Nassau County,” Blakeman said.

However, Blakeman’s support for federal immigration policies has sparked concern among civil rights advocates. Laura Harding, with the group Erase Racism, warned that Blakeman’s statements could exacerbate prejudice and discrimination against all immigrants, not just those who are undocumented. Harding expressed fear that such rhetoric could pave the way for bias and division within the community.

“Statements by the county executive really do nothing but begin to fan the flames of hate and put structures in place for discrimination to happen,” Harding said.

Blakeman has previously emphasized that Nassau County is not a sanctuary jurisdiction, and he reiterated that commitment during the interview. He stated that the Nassau County Police Department will work with federal authorities to ensure undocumented immigrants are deported.

“The Nassau County Police Department will cooperate with Customs and Border Patrol, ICE, the FBI, and anybody else who wants to make sure these people are returned to the countries they came from,” Blakeman said.

The comments have sparked mixed reactions among Nassau County residents.

Some residents voiced strong support for Blakeman’s stance, with one saying, “Deport, deport, deport. I’m all for that.”

Others, however, expressed concern, questioning the potential consequences of such policies. One resident said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think we need to help people who are here.”

In response to similar inquiries, Suffolk County officials declined to comment on their position regarding the mass deportation policy.

The full interview with Bruce Blakeman will air on Power & Politics this Sunday at 11:30 a.m.