The City of Oswego has a history of letting its citizens have their voices heard, including through protests, parades and events. 

In the past year, the current administration in our country has become more strict on its immigration policy and has sent out U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce its new laws. 

This has caused many immigrants in the United States to worry about their safety and if they could be targeted next. Last September, there was a large immigration raid at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant in Cato, New York, which led to 57 people being detained. 

“ Last year, when there were people that were detained at that facility in Cato, and they were brought for a short time to the border patrol facility here in Oswego,” Mayor Robert Corradino said. “There was people who were protesting and it was an encampment, but it was peaceful and it only lasted, I think for a week or so.” 

With ICE still being at large and causing distrust and disruption around the country, there is a worry about how each town will react. The city of Oswego has stated that it will not tolerate working with ICE.

“ Simply said, the policy is that we don’t work with ICE,” Corradino said. “ So whatever ICE does in our community, it’s on their own, and they get no help from the city of Oswego or the police department.” 

Corradino is hopeful that there can be changes in our country that help lessen the fear that others might be feeling about ICE. 

“ I’m hopeful that a path forward for people to gain citizenship in our country will eventually happen, and I’m hopeful that any current or future demonstrations or encounters with ICE or with any other authorities can be peaceful,” Corradino said. “But I believe that people are recognizing that we need to have a change in our immigration policy, and I’m hopeful that our state and federal leaders will see that.” 

Education and awareness are important factors in understanding how to handle situations like these. Corradino understands the concerns that people have about this ongoing issue and believes that people should be aware of what is going on. 

“ It’s just that the issues that people are bringing up about the operation for ICE, I think, are valid concerns, and certainly, whether it’s nationwide or local, we should all be aware of those issues,” Corradino said.