A revised version of a proposed local law aimed at public safety during federal immigration enforcement activity is now circulating among East End municipalities, but Riverhead officials have not committed to discussing it with the advocacy group seeking its adoption.

The Organización Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island, or OLA, says the latest draft reflects input from East End municipal officials and attorneys gathered since the proposal was first presented publicly in Riverhead last month. But while OLA says it has met with every other East End town and village leadership team and their lawyers, Riverhead did not attend a Feb. 26 Zoom meeting on the proposal and has yet to engage in any substantive public discussion about it.

OLA Executive Director Minerva Perez again urged the Town Board to open a dialogue when she addressed members at their March 3 meeting, following what she said was additional ICE activity in Riverhead on Feb. 28, including near public schools.

“To date, there have probably been more random raids in Riverhead than any other town or village, which, again, is part of the reason for the law that we have proposed,” Perez told the board. “It is a law that we are looking for dialogue on.”

Perez said OLA had already met with “every other town and village leadership, along with their lawyers” and that the current version is a third draft incorporating feedback, including from attorneys who have represented law enforcement.

“We want to make sure that the actions of these random raids are not stopping children from going to school,” Perez said. “We need to have a plan of action.”

“Thank you for your comments,” Supervisor Jerry Halpin replied. “Appreciate it.”

Several other speakers also urged the board to discuss the proposal.

After OLA’s original pitch to the Town Board last month, Halpin told RiverheadLOCAL he had no plan to place the proposal on a Town Board work session agenda.

More coveragge:Latino advocates urge Riverhead to adopt local law addressing public safety during ICE activity

Source: RiverheadLOCAL