Nassau County’s top official on Long Island, New York, has vowed to bolster the police force and enhance collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should Zohran Mamdani clinch victory in the upcoming New York City mayoral race.

Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive and a Republican known for his focus on public safety and financial prudence, made this commitment to attract New York City residents who might contemplate moving to Long Island if the Democratic favorite secures the mayor’s office, as reported by his spokesperson to the New York Post.

This initiative is a key element of Blakeman’s strategy as he prepares to face Democratic opponent Seth Koslow in the upcoming election, according to the publication.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (left) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (Image: Getty Images/Fox News composite)

“Should Mamdani succeed, [Blakeman] plans to recruit additional police officers, strengthen ties with [ICE], and actively promote Nassau as the safest county in America to potential residents and businesses,” stated Blakeman’s spokesperson, Chris Boyle, in a conversation with the Post. Read more here.

In February, Blakeman announced that the county would partner with ICE under a formal agreement allowing 10 detectives from the Nassau County Police Department to be “cross-designated” as ICE agents.

The arrangement permits these detectives to assist with immigration enforcement. The announcement also said the county jails would provide temporary detainee space for ICE, local detectives would notify ICE when arrests of undocumented immigrants occur, and they would embed with ICE for targeted operations, according to WABC.

Under the deal, 10 Nassau County detectives have been trained and designated to work with ICE on apprehensions and investigations, and the county has reserved 50 jail cells for ICE to hold detainees for up to 72 hours before deportation or charging.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, right, has pledged to hire more police and expand ICE cooperation if Zohran Mamdani, left, wins the mayoral race. (Angelina Katsanis, Pool/AP Photo; Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Blakeman recently told Fox News Digital that the policies are “massively popular,” including among the county’s Hispanic residents. He said they have been yielding results not only for Nassau County but for the wider region.

Boyle declined to provide further details on how the county would expand its cooperation with ICE, according to the Post.

Koslow has said that if elected, he would terminate the deal — aligning with Democratic policies on immigration.

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, has vowed to end New York City’s cooperation with ICE, keep ICE out of city-run facilities and protect immigrant families from federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Federal agents and law enforcement stand outside 26 Federal Plaza on Oct. 21, 2025, in New York City. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Blakeman has served as Nassau County executive since 2022. Earlier this year, he spearheaded the passage of legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at county-owned facilities. A New York appeals court froze the ban earlier this month.