CONGRESSMAN LAWLER AND PRESIDENT TRUMP DECLARE VICTORY
BY: KEITH S. SHIKOWITZ, EDITOR IN CHIEF/INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
The people who are against the bill hastily proposed by Democrats in the county legislature, they say will make Rockland County a sanctuary county scored a major victory last night as the Rockland County Legislature pulled the idea of setting a date for the public hearing on this bill until they can get a written proposal presented to the WHOLE legislature.
As of the time I left the Legislative chamber last night, they seemed to still be looking to push this forward as soon as they could.
President Trump:
VICTORY IN ROCKLAND: Protests Halt Sanctuary County Bill
The residents of Rockland County, New York, have secured a major win for public safety. After hundreds of citizens packed the New City-based Government Center on February 3, 2026, the Rockland County Legislature officially pulled the controversial sanctuary bill from its agenda.
Proposed by Democratic Legislator Beth Davidson, the bill—modeled after Westchester County’s policies—sought to sharply limit cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The legislation would have barred county employees from honoring ICE detainers without a judicial warrant and restricted the sharing of immigration status information.
Critics, including County Executive Ed Day and Congressman Mike Lawler, condemned the move as a “reckless” attempt to turn Rockland into a sanctuary county that would “tie the hands” of police.
The Power of the People
Hundreds of residents, many identifying as “patriots,” turned out in a sea of opposition, filling the legislative chamber and chanting “USA” as news of the bill’s withdrawal broke.
Republican County Executive Ed Day, a former NYPD commander, had already pledged to veto the bill if it reached his desk, calling it a “solution looking for a problem”.
Local leaders and the Rockland County PBA argued that sanctuary policies make communities less safe by shielding criminal elements from federal oversight.
Opponents put Lawler front and center, arguing restrictions on cooperation with ICE could impede investigations into serious crime and fraud.
“People illegally taking benefits and taxpayer money that they are not due. That nobody should cooperate on that? Of course they should,” Lawler said.
There was a mixture of opinions on this topic, but the room was overwhelming in favor of the bill which was obvious by the raucous applause after each person who was in favor of it spoke.
Unlike at the Lawler town hall on Sunday, the people were relatively well-behaved and cooperative. They generally let people speak even if they disagreed with the speaker. There were a few times when they did get a little out of hand and tried to talk over the person.
Legislative Chair Jay Hood set a one-minute time limit on talking since there were 40 people who wanted to talk. There was a preacher who said that some call him Preach who actually was allowed to speak for four and a half minutes, a lot longer than the one-minute time limit. When a lady who worked for the county in probation was going over, she was not allowed to finish what she was saying after two minutes. Her argument happened to be contrary to that of the preacher and the microphone was cut off to stop her from talking. People were saying that was not fair to allow the preacher to speak for four minutes and then cut her off right after him. ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WAS AN EXPRESSED ONE MINUTE TIME LIMIT.
Legislator Lon Hofstein Minority Leader from the 10th Legislative District at the meeting waited to speak until after all of the public participants said what they wanted to.
Some people commented on President Trump’s Facebook post. It would seem that not everyone is happy with the proposed bill. From the comments, it would also seem that these people consider those in favor of the bill lacking in common sense.
Great sanity prevails!
The TIDE IS TURNING. The People are FINALLY STANDING UP to be HEARD !!!!!!! IT’S ABOUT TIME that THEY ARE LISTENED TO !!!!!!!
Protestors? I hear a cattle bar will fix that.
This is grassroots government at its best. Praising those people who showed up to peacefully demonstrate what America is all about.
We need laws and the law enforcement officers to have a safe and secure country.
Great work!
EXCELLENT!
One great step forward
So glad to see, stick up for yourself, New Yorkers.
No I didn’t! Thank God some New Yorkers have common sense! And I bet no one was violent at that protest!!!
Maybe show the crazy left that’s what a peaceful protest looks like
Where are the patriots in Minneapolis?
This is awesome news
Bravo
Way to go .. Power of the people.
Well done neighbors
Finally a location with some common sense
Only the beginning God bless America
Good for you.
Bravo
Great job
Yeah! Don’t Tread on Me!