Gov. Kathy Hochul called last year’s federal immigration raid at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato paralyzing for the community on the operation’s first anniversary, according to CNY Central.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained 69 people at the State Route 34 facility on Sept. 4, 2025, and the Justice Department said they were in the country illegally.
More than 50 detainees were later flown to their alleged countries of origin, while five were indicted on illegal reentry charges.
Hochul cited state laws limiting local involvement in civil immigration enforcement, but 15 sheriffs, including those from Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties, are challenging one law in court.
The Cayuga and Oswego county sheriff’s offices assisted with security and traffic during the raid, though Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck said he did not know its specifics beforehand.
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