A tension has arisen in the Buffalo area as a Republican legislator criticizes Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz for overstepping his authority. The controversy began when the Buffalo Convention Center canceled a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) career expo, scheduled for two days, due to objections to the participation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Possible protests were anticipated, leading to the decision.
Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo, from the Republican party, voiced her disapproval in an interview with Fox News Digital. Lorigo argued that Poloncarz exceeded his power by influencing the convention center’s management to cancel the event. There are ongoing discussions about the expo’s future, with hopes for a reversal of the decision, as vendors have already invested resources.
“I have had discussions with vendors that are already set up there,” Lorigo mentioned. “They’re concerned that they’re going to have to close down their business because they can’t afford the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but now they don’t know who’s going to pay the bill. I think he is blowing the safety concern out of the water.”
The DHS responded strongly, defending ICE and dismissing the criticism as politically motivated. A DHS spokesperson highlighted the dedication of ICE agents to public safety, pointing out the support from Americans for their work.
According to a May survey by Harvard CAPS/Harris, 80% of respondents backed the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally who have committed crimes. With plans to recruit in areas like cybersecurity and law enforcement, the expo was marketed as the department’s premier hiring event, targeting veterans, military spouses, and recent graduates.
In Erie County’s joint statement, Poloncarz clarified that while the county owns the convention center, it does not handle its daily operations. He learned of the expo at short notice, expressing that the center should align with community values and urged the management to reconsider the DHS contract.
Convention center President Patrick Kaler noted that DHS was initially asked to proceed without ICE’s presence. Upon realizing this was not feasible, the center decided cancellation was the best option for the community.
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