ICE enforcement in Glen Cove

The pastor of First Baptist Church of Glen Cove drew parallels between ICE activity and historic persecution, and asked the mayor and council to affirm the dignity of immigrants and show leadership for the North Shore.

Her statement (read by her husband) described growing fear in the community, declining school attendance, hurting local businesses, and asked the city to form a multi-pronged task force and hold a round table with city leaders, police, schools, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Detailed the June 2025 ICE/FBI operation near the Glen Street train station, cited enrollment down to 3,059 students and a $4.7M school budget gap, downtown business closures, and library ESL attendance fears, and asked the council to convene a round table and set clear guidance on where the city stands.

Recounted a February 12 incident on Grove Street in which she says an ICE agent ran her plate, confronted her, and threatened to come to her house; praised Glen Cove police for taking her report and asked the city not to remain neutral and to protect residents from intimidation.

Speaking for Rabbi Michael Shigel of North Country Reform Temple and personally as a former Landing School principal, he urged the city to be a safe haven and protect all residents from fear, invoking the Jewish immigrant experience.

An immigrant from Sea Cliff noted the council members' own immigrant heritage and urged them to use their power to stop ICE from 'terrorizing' people in Glen Cove, calling the enforcement lawless persecution.