GOSHEN, N.Y. – Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta has strongly denied claims by a local activist that his deputies conducted operations alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Sheriff accused the activist of endangering officers and the public by spreading misinformation on social media.
Activist Accused of Spreading Misinformation
The controversy centers on Ignacio Acevedo, a Newburgh activist representing the group Community Voices Heard. According to Sheriff Arteta, Acevedo has followed deputies during their routine police operations and later posted about them on Facebook, alleging they were acting with ICE agents.
In one recent post, Acevedo urged residents to confront deputies, writing:
“We are asking citizens to come out and join us today to ask for an explanation to this act. A Orange County sheriff with a possible ICE agent on a raid in Newburgh.”
He also shared a photograph of a marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle with its license plate visible, fueling further speculation.
Sheriff Arteta Denies Any ICE Involvement
Sheriff Arteta issued a firm rebuttal, stating his office was in Newburgh conducting routine local law enforcement duties—not immigration enforcement.
“We are aware of the information being circulated on social media that suggests the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is conducting ‘ICE Raids,’” Arteta said. “We understand the concern this has raised. To clarify: the Sheriff’s Office was in the Newburgh area last week conducting local police and sheriff’s operations. Deputies were not conducting an immigration enforcement operation with ICE agents.”
He emphasized that such claims create unnecessary fear and risk the safety of both deputies and community members.
Conflicting Accounts
Acevedo, reached by phone, declined a full interview, saying he needed clearance from his employer, the American Civil Liberties Union of New York. However, when told of the Sheriff’s denial, he responded:
“I would like to sit down with the Sheriff and talk about the videos and stuff. I have been getting several different stories. The videos don’t lie.”
At a meeting of the Orange County Legislature last week, Acevedo claimed a deputy had directly told him they were conducting an ICE raid. Sheriff Arteta insists no such raid took place.
Wider Context: ICE and Public Tension
ICE operations have been politically and socially divisive in recent years, particularly during the Trump administration, when the agency faced criticism over detention conditions and family separation policies.
Law enforcement experts warn that activists sometimes interfere with unrelated police operations under the mistaken belief they involve immigration enforcement. In one high-profile 2024 case in Tucson, Arizona, activists disrupted a drug raid, believing it was an ICE action. Police later seized millions of fentanyl pills, 32 pounds of cocaine, 22 pounds of meth, and multiple firearms from the suspect’s residence.
Expert Concerns Over Safety
Law enforcement experts stress that misinformation can create dangerous conditions. Michael Alcazar, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a retired NYPD detective, said misidentifying police activity can put lives at risk.
“When citizens start following deputies and calling them ICE, it can create mass confusion,” Alcazar said. “Police officers on patrol need to remain focused, especially during dangerous situations. If a civilian interferes and misidentifies what’s occurring, it can add stress and confusion and make it difficult for law enforcement to do their assignments safely.”
He added that activism should seek solutions without escalating tension:
“There are better ways to push for change without stirring up unnecessary fear. The goal should be to inform, not aggravate a situation. The police are here to protect people and preserve the peace while keeping the lines of communication open.”
Moving Forward
For now, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office maintains it has not conducted any joint operations with ICE. Sheriff Arteta reiterated that his deputies’ focus remains on local public safety, not federal immigration enforcement.
The dispute underscores the sensitivity of immigration-related concerns in Newburgh and beyond, where miscommunication between activists and law enforcement can quickly escalate into public controversy.
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