Today, the East Hampton Town Board is considering legislation that would reshape the town's role in federal civil immigration enforcement.

The "public safety and accountability" proposal acknowledges the federal government's authority to enact and enforce federal immigration laws, but would prohibit many ways local police officers and town officials could assist in those efforts.

The law would stop the town from entering into any agreements that allow ICE to delegate immigration enforcement functions to state or local agencies. It would also prohibit the town from using any of its resources to investigate or arrest anyone solely for federal civil immigration enforcement, unless there's a judicial warrant.

The law would create a task force to address the community's concerns about federal immigration practices and provide public safety recommendations to the board.

The town's proposal would also require town police officers to report to the town supervisor any incidents an officer responds to that involve federal immigration enforcement.

The law would not prohibit town police from cooperating with federal authorities on criminal investigations nor bar ICE agents from lawfully enforcing civil immigration actions.

"We have residents that are living in fear and not only are they afraid to leave their home, but they're also afraid to call the police when they need it," East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said. "We want to make sure that residents, everyone knows, that calling the police is a safe space."

If approved, the law would go into effect immediately, but only last until July 1, 2029.

The town said the law is necessary after the federal government stepped up its immigration enforcement efforts, including crackdowns across Long Island, particularly on the East End, which is home to several large Latino immigrant communities.

The legislation was based on a recommendation by OLA of Eastern Long Island, an East End immigrant rights non-profit. The organization is urging all East End communities to consider and pass similar laws.

"This law basically helps to codify a very specific way to respond to something that we've never had to deal with before," OLA of Eastern Long Island Executive Director Minerva Perez said.

Today, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced similar action is being included in this year's state budget.

Last month, the village of East Hampton adopted its version of this legislation after working for months with OLA.

"The way we've seen ICE acting in our local communities is just not acceptable," East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen said. "We're very sensitive to make sure that our Latino community knows that local law enforcement is here to help them, not work against them."

The town of Southold has created a task force to review federal immigration policy and review OLA of Eastern Long Island's bill. OLA said it is meeting with Riverhead town officials today.

News 12 reached out to ICE for comment, but we have not yet heard back.

Tonight's public hearing on the town proposal will take place at East Hampton Town Hall at 6 p.m.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said she expects a packed room tonight, but anticipates the board will hold over the resolution until its next meeting on May 12 at 11 a.m. at the Montauk Library, when the board expects to vote.