The fallout from a controversial traffic stop involving Rochester police and federal agents has prompted a response from the Trump administration.
U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan has promised to come to Rochester after meeting with the Rochester Police Locust Club, the city's police union , and expressed his support for the officers involved in a controversial traffic stop with federal agents Monday, March 24, 2025.
Rochester, N.Y. — The fallout from a controversial traffic stop involving Rochester police and federal agents has prompted a response from the Trump administration. Border Czar Tom Homan has promised to come to Rochester after meeting with the Rochester Police Locust Club, the city's police union, and expressed his support for the officers involved."I stand with the officers of the Rochester, New York police department that answered the emergency assistance call from U.S. Border Patrol," Homan shared on X, elevating the incident to national attention. Locust club leaders said they aren't sure when Homan is coming to town. The union received support Friday from Robert Ortt, the Republican minority leader of the NYS Senate. During a media briefing Wednesday, city leaders said RPD officers who were dispatched to the scene on Whitney Street on Monday overstepped and violated the terms of the sanctuary status and general orders. "Our policy clearly states that the Rochester Police Department is not responsible for and does not engage in enforcement of immigration laws," Mayor Malik Evans said. "What is also very concerning is that RPD officers went out of view of the supervisor who is on scene to initiate contact with occupants of the vehicle while Border Patrol stands by," Rochester Police Chief David Smith said "When, in reality, they should be initiating contact. We should be there ensuring their safety." The terms of the city's sanctuary city resolution, which was adopted in 1986 and reaffirmed in 2017, as well as the Rochester Police Department's General Order 502, prohibit the enforcement of federal immigration law by city police officers."I don’t represent the city of Rochester, but it angered me," Ortt emphasized. "These officers didn’t respond, they weren’t immigration officers, they weren’t asking about their legal status. That is not what happened." Ortt expressed a desire to pass legislation to "uncuff law enforcement from properly executing public safety tasks." State Sen. Jeremy Cooney said while this is a city policy, state lawmakers will also likely confront this issue. "While we understand this is a city issue and the city government is going to be looking into this, as a resident, as a neighbor, I was of course very upset to see this happening in our own community," Cooney said. "As long as the legislation is balancing and finding approaches, we will take a look at it." The City of Rochester has declined to comment on Homan's statements, referring back to a previous press conference where it was announced that 10 officers would receive additional training on policies. This is a developing story. Tune into 13WHAM News at 10:00 and 11:00 tonight to hear more from locust club leaders after their meeting with Homan.
Tom Homan Rochester Police Union Traffic Stop Sanctuary City Immigration Laws Rpd Officers Local Border Czar
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