‘1,150% Increase In Assaults’: ICE Responds After Islip Protest Calls for End To Town Training Deal
ISLIP, NY — After more than
The Saturday protest, which featured expected New York gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, centered on the Town of Islip's longstanding contract with the Department of Homeland Security. The agreement allows ICE to use the town's shooting range at 200 Freeman Avenue for firearms and tactical training. The town extended the contract in June.
"As a result of that contract, ICE agents now have full access to that shooting range," said Islip Forward founder and executive director Ahmad Perez. "The town receives roughly $60,000 under the agreement… and what we are calling for is a termination of that contract."
Perez said residents have increasingly reported ICE training activity spilling into surrounding streets.
"We're getting sightings of agents in military fatigues jogging up and down the streets next to daycares and dance studios," he said. "This is something we have never seen before."
In a statement to Patch, ICE said the agency's training needs have grown due to an "unprecedented increase in assaults" on its officers.
"ICE recognizes the importance of its relationships with its law enforcement and other partners to carry out its mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety, and border security," an ICE spokesperson said. "ICE takes firearms training very seriously and ensures all officers and special agents are always proficient in their use. Our officers are facing unprecedented increase in assaults against them at 1,150% due in large part to the rhetoric and actions of activists and politicians, which makes access to this training more critical than ever. ICE remains grateful to the town of Islip for their continued support."
ICE conducts operations throughout the five boroughs, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley:
"Due to our operational tempo and the increased interest in our agency, we are unable to research and respond to every rumor or discuss specifics of routine daily operations," a spokesperson said. "ICE is executing the President's mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality."
Islip Forward's Long Island ICE Tracker — now a mobile app — has documented nearly 300 sightings this year.
"We went from one sighting every other week, to one every day, to multiple times a day, to almost ten a day," Perez said. "We've literally confirmed that November is the highest month of enforcement activity in 2025."
He attributes the rise to expanded federal funding and increased coordination between agencies. The rally, held the same afternoon as the town's annual holiday festival, was disruptive.
"Choosing to stage a politically charged protest during a longstanding, cherished community holiday festival certainly seems rather Grinch-like," Carpenter said in a statement. "Just as they have a right to protest, other residents should have a right to gather and celebrate the joy of the Holiday Season."
Perez acknowledged the timing was intentional.
"The absolute intention is discomfort," he said. "Our goal is to make sure they know we are still here."
Islip Forward plans to appear at the Dec. 16 Town Board meeting to support reintroducing a resolution to end the training contract.
"The process people think exists — 'do it the right way' — does not exist right now," Perez said. "There is no safe or expedient pathway for many of the families facing war, famine, or instability."
