Nassau County has two 287(g) agreements — both warrant service officer and task force model — making it one of the most aggressive ICE collaborators in New York state. A detainee death 18 hours after arrival spotlighted dangerous conditions.

287(g) Agreements

• County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed agreements in February 2025
• Both Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputized
• 50 cells designated at Nassau County Correctional Center
• County paid $195 per detainee per night — the highest known rate in NY

Detainee Death

• Santos Reyes-Banegas, 42, Honduran national, father of two
• Arrested September 17, 2025
• Found dead in cell September 18, 2025 — less than 18 hours after arrival
• Preliminary reports: liver failure from alcoholism (cause still under investigation)
• First ICE detainee death in Nassau custody
• Investigations by: Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, AG Letitia James, NY Commission of Correction

Significance

This was the first 287(g)-related detainee death in New York state. Used by NYIC and advocacy groups as evidence that 287(g) agreements endanger lives and must be banned statewide.

Sources

• NYIC: Death shows need to end 287(g) agreements (Sep 2025)
• LI Herald: ICE detainee may have died from liver failure
• Long Island Advocate: Death sparks protest
• LI Press: ICE detainee found dead (Sep 2025)