New York Counties Challenge Immigration Law
Two counties in New York are taking legal action against Governor Kathy Hochul over a new state law that prohibits them from collaborating with federal immigration authorities.
Officials from Rensselaer County and Broome County have declared their intention to join an existing federal lawsuit that contests this state law enacted by Democrats, as reported.
The lawsuit aims to invalidate a state law that restricts local police departments and law enforcement agencies from participating in the federal 287(g) program, which establishes a formal partnership between these departments and federal immigration enforcement.
Nassau County officials have also shown interest in the lawsuit, although they have not yet decided whether to align with the other two counties in the legal filing.
The law, known as the Local Crimes, Local Cop Act, came into force on August 25 and would effectively end agreements with ICE that 13 counties in New York already have.
Governor Hochul mentioned, “Local police will assist ICE only if a real crime has been committed. But on civil immigration matters, ICE is on their own.”
The New York Attorney General’s Office has issued subpoenas to counties that have not yet confirmed the termination of any agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or committed to following the new state law.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is challenging Hochul for the governorship, has strongly criticized the Local Crimes, Local Cop Act, claiming that cooperation with ICE has significantly reduced crime in his county.
Blakeman stated, “We got rid of 2,000 illegal migrants with criminal records in Nassau County without raiding a church, a school, a daycare center, or a hospital, because we cooperated with ICE.”
He further condemned Hochul, arguing that her law poses a threat to public safety.
Blakeman asked rhetorically, “Kathy Hochul, where do you want those guns? What neighborhood do you want to destroy? Where do you want those drugs? What community do you want to destroy? Where do you want those illegal migrants with criminal records to live? You want them back in New York? We say no!” during a recent rally.
In response, Hochul has cautioned the counties to comply with the new law, stating she welcomes any lawsuit against her administration: “Bring it on.”
She added, “No county executive should think that they are above the law in the state of New York. The attorney general will be fully responsible for enforcement.”
