TROY – The Rensselaer County Legislature’s Democratic minority has proposed a local law to prohibit county departments and employees from profiling people seeking assistance and possibly leading to them being reported to immigration officials.

The Democrats are pushing back against Sheriff Patrick Russo’s decision to have his office participate in the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program that has two county correction officers checking to see if jail inmates may be in the country illegally.

“We don’t want this to blow up into some sort of profiling hysteria where people are unfairly treated,” said Minority Leader Peter Grimm of Troy.

“This local law will guarantee that services and benefits will not be denied to someone based on race, nationality, language and other characteristics. The law will undoubtedly protect many people from bigoted discrimination,” Grimm said.

The proposal states: "The purpose and intent of this local law is to ensure that immigrants are welcome in Rensselaer County by prohibiting particular types of profiling and ensuring that county resources are not diverted for the purpose of immigration enforcement."

A spokesman for County Executive Steve McLaughlin, a Republican, said, "We will be happy to review the law, but we note that we do not engage in profiling. The Democrat's proposed law would prevent law enforcement from carrying out their duties and protecting the public."

"We would hope Democrats instead join us in supporting law enforcement and fighting the crime that hurts our neighborhoods," the spokesman, Richard Crist, said.

The Democratic legislators are at the front of a push for legislation in counties. The New York Civil Liberties Union Capital Region Chapter worked on the Rensselaer County measure and helped draft a law that may be presented this month to the Albany County Legislature.

“These sanctuary pieces of legislation and intent are more frequent and are popping up everywhere,” said Melanie Trimble of the NYCLU chapter.

Trimble said the Rensselaer County Democrats want to demonstrate their county supports inclusiveness and is not xenophobic. Trimble has been working with Albany County Legislators Merton Simpson and Samuel Fein, both Democrats, on similar legislation.

Trimble said the NYCLU recently participated in successfully adopting similar legislation in Westchester County.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s administration could not withhold federal funding from cities and counties that limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Russo, a Republican, defended the 287-G program as additional tool to protect county residents. He gained national attention in February as the sole sheriff in the state joining the program to check jail inmates for immigration violations.

Deputy Minority Leader Cindy Doran of Troy said she feels the law "will help those that have been vulnerable since Rensselaer County adopted 287(g).”

Rensselaer County Legislature Chairman Michael Stammel, R-Rensselaer,saw problems with the proposed law.

"It's an impediment to the sheriff and any law enforcement," Stammel said.

The Democrats had previously tried without success to push legislation out on to the floor of the County Legislature where Republicans hold a 14-5 majority.

County residents may speak on the proposed law at the legislature’s monthly public forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the county office building, 1600 Seventh Ave.