Kenneth Crowe is reporting for the Times Union the New York Civil Liberties Union has condemned Rensselaer County's role in U.S. immigration checks. The NYCLU said it will monitor the agreement that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deputize members of the county Sheriff’s Office to work on immigration matters. “The sheriff’s decision to deputize officers to work on behalf of ICE will sow distrust between immigrant communities and law enforcement,” Melanie Trimble, NYCLU Capital Region director, said in a statement. The NYCLU sent a letter to Sheriff Patrick Russo March 6, criticizing his agreement with ICE. Russo announced the sheriff’s office will have two corrections officers trained by ICE, and these officers will check for immigration holds on any prisoners held in the Rensselaer County Jail. If there is a hold, Russo said, ICE would be notified of a prisoner’s release date. Trimble said the NYCLU would evaluate whether the duties of the officers participating is consistent with state law. Read the full story in the Times Union.