New York Governor Kathy Hochul is speaking out against what she calls a “cruel” federal immigration crackdown, after a mother and her three children were detained in Jefferson County and transported thousands of miles to Texas by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The family, whose children include a third grader and two teens enrolled in a Sackets Harbor school, has now been released and is returning home — but not without statewide and national outrage.
What Happened in Jefferson County?
On March 27, ICE agents conducted an immigration raid at North Harbor Dairy Farm in upstate New York. Eight people were detained, including the mother and her three school-aged children. According to reports, ICE was targeting a South African man accused of distributing child pornography, but the family was swept up in the raid.
They were taken to a detention facility in Texas, despite actively following legal immigration proceedings.
“This was just plain cruel,” said Hochul. “These kids were pulled out of school and separated from their home, their friends, their community.”
Hochul Responds: “We Will Not Stand for This”
Governor Hochul said she personally contacted White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who informed her of the family’s return to Jefferson County. Homan, a former ICE director under Trump, owns a home in the region and has become a focal point of local protest.
“New York is open to working with federal immigration enforcement against gang members and violent criminals,” Hochul said. “But I will never support actions that tear families apart.”
Community Outrage and Support
The detainment sparked swift backlash in the North Country:
- Hundreds marched through Sackets Harbor on April 5, calling for the family’s release.
- Protesters held signs condemning ICE actions and rallied outside Homan’s residence.
- Local leaders, including Assemblyman Scott Gray, advocated for the family’s return.
“I want to thank the Sackets Harbor community for standing up and speaking out,” said Hochul. “This is what New York values look like.”
Immigration Advocates Speak Out
The New York Immigration Coalition sharply criticized ICE, noting the family was complying with all legal requirements.
“This family was correctly navigating the system, attending court hearings — and yet they were detained and sent thousands of miles away,” said Murad Awawdeh, the group’s CEO.
ICE has since stated that the family’s release is an “independent decision” as the criminal investigation proceeds.
What’s Next for Immigration Enforcement in New York?
This case highlights growing tensions between state and federal immigration authorities, especially under the Trump administration’s renewed crackdown:
- Increased raids and detainments in mixed-status communities
- Greater ICE activity in rural and agricultural areas
- Pushback from Democratic governors like Hochul who reject family separation tactics
Bottom Line
The return of this Jefferson County family offers a moment of relief, but Gov. Kathy Hochul’s message is clear: New York will fight against immigration policies that violate human dignity.
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