ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Ithaca city officials are addressing Thursday’s arrest of a Mexican citizen in the city. 

In a statement, officials say IPD followed ‘all relevant City policies, including Ithaca’s Sanctuary City policy.’ The Ithaca Police Department were not directly involved in immigration enforcement activities. Agents from ICE arrested 27-year-old Jesus Romero-Hernandez, who’s accused of illegally re-entering the US earlier this month. 

The city’s full statement:

“The City of Ithaca has been made aware that federal law enforcement conducted operations in Ithaca today in connection with federal warrants. The Ithaca Police Department adhered to all relevant City policies, including Ithaca’s Sanctuary City policy (Article VI of Chapter 215 of the Ithaca City Code), in consultation with the City Attorney and City Manager’s office. In accordance with City law, IPD officers did not participate in any immigration enforcement activities.”

On Thursday night, Tompkins County released a statement of their own where they challenged claims made by the US Department of Justice. Here’s their full statement:

“Tompkins County and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office are releasing the following statement to dispute the factual accuracy and innuendo contained in the press release from the United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, dated January 30, 2025. The Sheriff and his staff acted consistently with New York State law and judicial decisions, County policy, guidance of the New York Attorney General’s Office, and guidance of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association. There was no interference with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Moreover, DOJ’s assertion that the Tompkins County Sheriff did anything to put federal law enforcement officers in danger is false and offensive. The safety of all law enforcement is our top priority. In contrast, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) knew exactly when the individual in question was going to be released and had every opportunity to come to the Tompkins County jail to obtain the individual in question without any need for a pursuit or other incident.”

Romero-Hernandez was initially charged in Tompkins County with misdemeanor assault.