New York Sheriffs Challenge State Law on ICE Agreements
More than a dozen sheriffs in New York have filed a lawsuit against a state law that restricts law enforcement from working with ICE on civil immigration enforcement. Governor Kathy Hochul challenged officials to contest her stance, stating, “bring it on.”
Led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, the federal lawsuit claims the law is unconstitutional. It argues it limits elected sheriffs’ capabilities to form federally authorized immigration-enforcement agreements.
“Today, Kathy Hochul escalated her administration’s war on the police,” said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. “She expanded policies to prioritize criminals over New York citizens.”
The law, named the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, was signed in May and became effective recently. It prevents local and state law enforcement from partnering with federal agencies on civil immigration cases. Moreover, existing detention agreements must end within three months as per their termination clauses.
Law enforcement remains permitted to assist with violent or non-immigration crimes. However, they cannot allocate local resources to help advance any mass deportation agenda that aligns with President Donald Trump’s policies.
Hochul has made it clear that she will pursue legal action against any locality that refuses to end cooperation agreements with ICE. “No county executive should think they are above the law in New York,” Hochul announced at a press event. Police departments that ignore the legislation face lawsuits.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that have not confirmed plans to end ICE agreements. These include the sheriff’s offices in Broome, Steuben, Nassau, and Rensselaer counties, as well as the Nassau County Police.
If these agencies do not comply, the attorney general plans to file a civil lawsuit. “Law enforcement will assist ICE only if a real crime has been committed,” Hochul explained. The goal is to prioritize local crime intervention over civil immigration issues.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican challenger, criticized Hochul’s policy. He stated during an event with Trump that around 2,000 individuals in his county with criminal histories have been removed with ICE’s cooperation. Blakeman questioned where the governor intended for illegal immigrants with criminal records to reside.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security criticized Hochul’s approach, urging her to prioritize public safety over politics. They expressed concerns that the policy could lead to more crime and harm more innocent people.