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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the state has prohibited local law enforcement agencies from maintaining formal civil immigration enforcement agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The governor made the declaration during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” emphasizing that the restriction ensures police resources remain dedicated to combating street-level crime rather than immigration matters.
The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which Hochul signed in May, took effect Tuesday and forbids state and local entities from entering or continuing 287(g) agreements—federal arrangements permitting trained local personnel to perform certain immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision. A federal judge this month rejected the Justice Department’s bid for a preliminary injunction blocking the ban, allowing the Tuesday deadline to proceed as scheduled.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson countered Hochul’s position in a statement to Fox News Digital, arguing the restriction will necessitate increased federal agent presence in New York communities. The spokesperson cited five cases involving noncitizens charged with attempted murder, rape, assault, weapons offenses, or child endangerment who remained at large or were released despite ICE detainers before the agency ultimately took them into custody.
Hochul’s office disputed DHS characterizations, asserting the law protects families and working individuals from civil immigration enforcement while maintaining cooperation with federal authorities on violent crime. The state noted that corrections facilities may still notify ICE about potentially deportable individuals and transfer lawfully detained persons to the agency under existing state law.
Fifteen county sheriffs, led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the ban as an unlawful infringement on their independently elected authority and federally authorized agreements. Attorney General Letitia James sued Rensselaer County and its sheriff Thursday, seeking to terminate the agreement through the state’s newly established Office of Immigrant Trust.
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