RPD Officers Caught on Video Assisting Border Patrol, Sparking Outcry

 A video still showing Rochester Police Department officers assisting federal immigration agents during a traffic stop.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A video showing Rochester Police Department (RPD) officers assisting federal immigration agents during a traffic stop has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for greater transparency from community leaders, including Mayor Malik Evans and mayoral candidate Mary Lupien.

The incident occurred March 24 on Lyell Avenue after RPD received what city officials described as an "emergency request for backup" from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an agency affiliated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The video, which surfaced online Wednesday, appears to show RPD officers helping federal agents surround a vehicle and detain individuals believed to be undocumented immigrants.

Rochester has been a self-declared sanctuary city since 2017, with policies prohibiting local police from enforcing federal immigration law. However, Evans acknowledged Wednesday that RPD officers may have violated that policy.

"Based on my preliminary review of this incident, the officers who responded appear to have violated city policy," Evans said. "From what I understand, officers on scene verbally directed the occupants to get out of the vehicle and assisted in placing handcuffs on them."

Evans said Police Chief David Smith has launched an internal investigation, and all officers will undergo additional training on General Order 502, which prohibits RPD from engaging in immigration enforcement.

Critics say the city's response is insufficient.

Mayoral candidate and City Councilmember Mary Lupien said she was first alerted to the incident by community members Monday night and raised the issue at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“I’ve seen the video—and it’s disturbing,” Lupien said in a statement. “More than eight Rochester police officers surrounded a van and threatened immigrant construction workers inside. The men were understandably terrified and refused to exit the vehicle. The officers escalated the situation, even threatening to break the car’s windows.”

Lupien said she informed Council President Miguel Meléndez about video and photographic evidence, prompting a request for RPD body-worn camera footage.

She also called for the Police Accountability Board to launch an independent investigation, arguing an internal review is not enough.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable for RPD to violate our sanctuary policy—especially now,” Lupien said, referencing recent deportations under reinstated Trump-era immigration policies. “The community deserves answers. What we’ve seen so far falls far short.”

Immigrant rights advocates and local organizations echoed Lupien’s concerns, demanding full transparency regarding RPD’s interactions with federal immigration authorities.

“Our communities deserve to know that the city stands by its promise to protect, not endanger, them,” said Maria Rivera, executive director of the Rochester Immigrant Support Center.

City officials have not released details about the individuals detained during the stop, and it remains unclear whether they are currently in federal custody.

Evans said the city will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

“This is what makes our community stronger,” Evans said. “I cannot thank our community members enough for keeping their city officials accountable.”