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Oneida County Executive Picente Calls for ‘Timeout’ on Immigration Amid Border Concerns
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. has voiced strong support for closing or at least restricting access to the southern border until the U.S. can address ongoing immigration challenges and implement a more effective system to process newcomers.
A Call for Immigration Reform
"I've seen the magnitude of the amount of people coming through," Picente, a Republican, stated. "We can't sustain that. There does have to be a pause, and there does have to be some type of détente in terms of a timeout here. We need to understand who's here before we take any more."
While Oneida County has a long history of welcoming refugees, particularly in Utica, Picente has drawn a distinction between organized refugee resettlement efforts and the recent influx of migrants from New York City. Last year, Oneida County joined other counties in declaring states of emergency to prohibit hotels and shelters from accepting migrants relocated from NYC.
Concerns from Local Refugee Organizations
Picente also addressed concerns from The Center—formerly known as the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees—which has been instrumental in resettling individuals from dozens of countries in Utica for decades.
"They're concerned that their people don't get caught up in that mix," Picente said. "It's as simple as that."
His comments come amid heightened national and regional debate on immigration policy and border security, particularly after former President Donald Trump issued new executive orders aimed at tightening immigration laws. The policy changes have sparked fear and uncertainty among immigrants, including those living in Central New York.
Immigration Policy Debates in Central New York
Across Central New York, immigration policy has become a divisive issue:
In Ithaca, the Common Council voted Wednesday night to reaffirm the city's status as a sanctuary city, pledging to continue protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation.
In Onondaga County, Sheriff Toby Shelley recently announced that his office will not comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to detain undocumented immigrants unless a warrant or detainer signed by a judge is provided.
In Syracuse, immigration attorney Jose Perez revealed that many of his clients are increasingly fearful of new federal policies, which have led to migrants in the city being fitted with ankle monitors and having their passports confiscated.
What’s Next for Oneida County?
Picente’s position reflects broader concerns among local leaders grappling with immigration policies at both the federal and state levels. As the 2024 election season approaches, immigration is expected to remain a key issue, with Oneida County officials closely monitoring how new policies could impact local communities.
While Picente supports stronger border restrictions, he has not called for changes to Oneida County’s existing refugee programs, which have helped revitalize communities like Utica through structured resettlement efforts. However, as migrant arrivals from NYC continue, county officials may face new challenges in balancing humanitarian aid with economic and social infrastructure demands.
With the national debate over immigration policies intensifying, Oneida County—like much of the U.S.—faces an uncertain path forward as officials weigh security, economic impact, and humanitarian concerns.
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