Hauppauge, NY: Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, today announced that his evaluation of Fiscal Year 2028 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests will include whether local governments cooperate with federal Law Enforcement authorities or instead choose to adopt Mamdani-Hochul sanctuary policies that undermine public safety and the rule of law.
The announcement comes after East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village became the first municipalities in Suffolk County to adopt sanctuary policies, raising concerns that the Mamdani-Hochul agenda could spread elsewhere across Long Island.
"I can't sit idly by while some Suffolk officials are endangering my constituents by adopting Mamdani-like sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe and put Law Enforcement Officers and arrestees at greater risk," said Rep. LaLota. "The reason Long Island has avoided the kind of tragedy we recently saw in Minnesota is because our local Law Enforcement agencies have historically cooperated with federal immigration authorities to identify and remove dangerous criminals before they can do harm."
In a letter sent to Suffolk County's county, town, and village leaders, Congressman LaLota outlined the principles that will guide his consideration of Community Project Funding requests submitted for inclusion in the House Appropriations process.
"Every Far Left immigration policy choice of the last few years, from repealing Remain in Mexico and loosening asylum requirements to providing migrants with taxpayer-funded hotels, health care, and sanctuary protections, has come at the expense of taxpayers and public safety," LaLota continued. "Now, East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village have become the first municipalities in Suffolk County to adopt sanctuary policies. Their decision has much more to do with the fact that their leaders are competing against one another in a Democrat primary and are more focused on proving who can be more Mamdani than the other than on standing up for the interests of law-abiding American citizens."
Since taking office, LaLota has secured more than $41.2 million in Community Project Funding for local priorities across Suffolk County, including clean water, infrastructure, and public safety projects, regardless of the political affiliation of local officials. Approximately $43 million in additional requests are currently pending for FY27 consideration.
"I am committed to stopping the spread of these dangerous sanctuary policies further into Suffolk by encouraging jurisdictions to choose additional federal resources and stronger public safety partnerships rather than following the Mamdani-Hochul agenda," LaLota said. "Local leaders are free to embrace Mamdani and Hochul's sanctuary agenda in pursuit of political support from the Far Left, but they should also be prepared to forgo federal funding opportunities that should be reserved for communities committed to public safety, the rule of law, and cooperation with federal partners."
LaLota emphasized that municipalities remain free to adopt whatever policies they choose, but that he will prioritize federal funding requests from jurisdictions that demonstrate responsible governance, cooperation with federal authorities, and a commitment to public safety.
"My responsibility is to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and to fight for policies that keep Long Islanders safe," LaLota added. "While the federal government cannot and should not force local governments to reject sanctuary policies, I can ensure that scarce federal resources are directed to communities that work with Law Enforcement, cooperate with federal partners, and put public safety first."
To read the full letter, click HERE.
Background
Recipients of LaLota's letter include Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico; East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez; Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth; Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerome Halpin; Shelter Island Town Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams; Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim; Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore; Southold Town Supervisor Albert Krupski; Asharoken Village Mayor Gregory D. Letica; Belle Terre Village Mayor Robert Sandak; Dering Harbor Village Mayor Ari Benacerraf; East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen; Greenport Village Mayor Kevin Stuessi; Head of the Harbor Village Mayor Michael D. Utevsky; Lake Grove Village Mayor Robert J. Scottaline; Nissequogue Village Mayor Richard B. Smith; North Haven Village Mayor Christopher Fiore; Northport Village Mayor Donna M. Koch; Old Field Village Mayor Thomas Gulbransen; Poquott Village Mayor Tina Cioffi; Port Jefferson Village Mayor Lauren Sheprow; Quogue Village Mayor Robert Treuhold; Sagaponack Village Mayor William F. Tillotson; Sag Harbor Village Mayor Thomas C. Gardella; Shoreham Village Mayor Thomas P. Spier; Southampton Village Mayor William M. Manger Jr.; The Branch Village Mayor Mark Delaney; Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Ralph Urban; and West Hampton Dunes Village Mayor Irwin R. Krasnow.
Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to request direct federal funding for specific local initiatives, subject to House Appropriations Committee rules, eligibility requirements, and public disclosure requirements.
Since assuming office in 2023, Congressman Nick LaLota has secured more than $41.2 million in Community Project Funding for Suffolk County projects supporting clean water, infrastructure improvements, and public safety initiatives, with approximately $43 million in additional requests currently under consideration for Fiscal Year 2027.
