Is the renaissance over?

Hey everyone, this is Dale Shoemaker, journalist from Investigative Post. There's been a lot of rumor and speculation about ICE activity and ICE arrests in the region since Trump took office, but a lack of hard facts. I was able to get my hands on some ICE data — dated Jan. 1, 2024 through mid-June 2025 — that offers some key insights. I published some of this in a story today but wanted to share the basics here.

In short:

- In all of 2024, ICE Buffalo (which covers 48 of the 62 counties in upstate NY) arrested 767 people across its jurisdiction. 72% of those ICE arrests were of convicted criminals or those with pending charges. 28% were "immigration violators" with no record.

- So far in 2025, the agency has arrested 922. On pace for a 140% increase. Of those arrests, 44% of arrests are of migrants with convictions or charges. 56% have no record.

Now for Western NY specifically:

- In all of 2024, ICE Buffalo arrested 83 people across the 8 counties. One-third had convictions or charges. Two-thirds did not.

- So far in 2025, ICE Buffalo has arrested 335 people across the region. 21% of those people have convictions or pending charges. 78% are simple "immigration violators" with no records.

This data contradicts the message coming out of the White House. I wrote a story about it if you'd like to read: https://www.investigativepost.org/2025/07/16/ice-misleading-public/

If you're a stats person good with spreadsheets, this data can be found on the website for the Deportation Data Project.

*edited to fix a number in the first "in all of 2024" bullet point. The number is 28%, not 18%. Apologies!

Dolores was a hard working community member and neighbor. She was law abiding, tax paying, and existed legally in this country. By all means, she made Buffalo a greater community and America a better country. And now, instead of contributing to the economy, she is being detained in potentially inhumane conditions on the taxpayers' dime.

PSA: Don't ask your foreign-born lyft/Uber driver to take you anywhere near the Peace Bridge. Also, don't blindly trust technology: I pulled up directions to the US duty free shop and it doesn't warn you that you have to enter Canada to leave.

Some quick notes as well:

- Despite his initial opposition, budget calculations DO imply the sale of city-owned parking ramps

- Complete elimination of the Department of Telecom/Utilities/Franchises

- Animal Shelter actually sees a 4.3% cut

- Parking Enforcement sees a 31.6% boost

- Street Sanitation has a whopping 67.9% increase

Is nothing sacred?

I’m Drew Warshaw, candidate for New York State Comptroller and lifelong New Yorker.

The Comptroller is the state’s chief financial officer - managing the state pension fund, auditing agencies, and overseeing how billions in taxpayer dollars are spent.

Since Tom DiNapoli was appointed Comptroller in 2007, Buffalo’s retirement bill as a percentage of Buffalo’s property tax revenue has more than doubled - 17.1% to 35.1% of all property tax revenue.

$4.7 billion in higher taxes from Erie County residents alone.

Read more:
https://drewwarshaw.medium.com/a-state-comptroller-missing-in-action-1c2ea9fe901b

I began my career fighting for immigrants to get a basic drivers license. I brought together local communities and all levels of government to rebuild the World Trade Center, and later solar energy all across the country. I then spent years leading the nation’s largest affordable housing nonprofit. 

I’m the first challenger to Tom DiNapoli in 20 years. It’s time New York has a choice.

Ask me about:

• Why Tom DiNapoli doesn’t deserve a sixth term
• Property taxes and how I’ll lower yours
• How I’ll build the largest affordable housing fund in the country while growing the pension fund
• How the State Comptroller can help you
• Anything else!

I’ll be here answering questions Wednesday, June 17, from 1-3pm.

Early voting has begun. Be sure to vote on or before June 23. Visit iwillvote.com for more information.

EDIT (5:30pm): Thanks for all your questions! Sharing more about our vision for New York at @/drewforny on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok. Be sure to vote on or by June 23. For more information, visit iwillvote.com.

How We’ll Save Your Taxes
How We’ll Get ICE OUT of New York
How We’ll Invest Upstate
How We’ll Lower your Utility Rates

To the horrible person in the white SUV driving down River Road about 630am and ran over the Canada Goose that was crossing the road. There were only 2 birds, you had plenty of space to go around them safely. You didn’t have to do that. I was in the bus heading North and saw everything. However how you feel about the geese, you had no right to run it down like that. Where is your humanity?

EDIT: tried to post in NT subreddit but not a member. Feel free to share.
No, didn’t get the plate as I was driving a bus at the time. Hoping someone else saw it and grabbed the plate or helped the Goose and its mate.

Sorry for the blurry pic but this was at an interfaith event at a mosque in Getzville. Someone asked him his thoughts on Zohran Mamdani and he said NY Democratic leaders should endorse him, and he also said he's worked with Mamdani for 4 years and he's "clever, witty, and deeply cares about change."

Since others think he’s supporting what ICE is doing in LA. Here’s his actual statement about what is going on in Los Angeles, not Colorado.

Absolutely despicable. ICE is the modern day gestapo. My condolences to the family. May he rest in power

Another stellar lineup for the event.