A morning crash involving federal immigration agents sparked questions across Geneva on Friday.
Police say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to stop a vehicle around 7:13 a.m. near Pulteney and Milton streets when a suspect vehicle rammed a federal vehicle. Two suspects went into custody, and a third ran, leading to a foot chase with ICE agents.
The Geneva Police Department says it did not receive prior notice that ICE was operating in the city. Chief Ronald L. Eveland addressed the incident in a public letter after residents contacted his office with concerns.
Officers responded to the scene and helped complete a motor vehicle accident report. They also arranged to tow the suspect vehicle to a secure location. Police did not help apprehend, detain, or question anyone involved.
After ICE arrested three individuals, agents went to the Public Safety Building to wait for an exchange slip for the accident report and to debrief the incident. “Our facilities were not used to hold or interrogate any individual in custody by ICE agents,” Eveland wrote.
Some residents raised concerns about ICE vehicles using the Public Safety Building parking lot and reports that agents entered the building. “Our parking lot is a public space and I will not restrict the use of the public lot by any federal law enforcement agency,” Eveland wrote.
He said agents entered the building only to use public restrooms. “This was done to utilize the public restrooms, which I am also not going to restrict,” Eveland said.
Eveland also outlined the department’s policy regarding civil immigration enforcement. “The Geneva Police Department policy is that we will not assist ICE with the enforcement of someone’s civil immigration status by sharing of information, detaining, or questioning,” he wrote.
He said officers will respond to calls for assistance from any federal agency, including ICE, as well as calls from the community, to ensure safety and maintain order. “We will assist ICE with their investigations so long as it is accompanied by a judicial warrant signed by a federal magistrate,” Eveland wrote.
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