More than a dozen sheriffs in New York are taking legal action against a state law that prohibits local law enforcement from entering into agreements with ICE for civil immigration enforcement. Governor Kathy Hochul responded provocatively, challenging the agency heads, saying “bring it on.”
The federal lawsuit, spearheaded by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, claims the law violates the Constitution and unfairly limits elected sheriffs from engaging in immigration-enforcement partnerships authorized by federal law.
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin criticized Hochul’s approach, alleging that she is intensifying her administration’s anti-police stance and prioritizing criminals over law-abiding citizens in New York.
Hochul’s “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” signed in May, took effect recently. This law bars local and state law enforcement agencies from collaborating with federal authorities in civil immigration issues and mandates that existing agreements for housing civil immigration detainees be terminated within three months.
While police can still assist ICE in violent crime cases, they’re prohibited from using local resources for civil immigration enforcement. This is part of a broader effort to counter President Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
The governor expressed her intention to sue any locality that refuses to comply with the law, highlighting a potential confrontation with her Republican opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, whose county maintains agreements with ICE.
Hochul emphasized during a press conference that no county executive is above the law and warned that any police department or sheriff’s office defying the new law will face legal challenges.
She stated, “And to those suing us, those trying to block the implementation of this law who’ve tried before and failed, our law has already been upheld by the courts, but if you try me again, I say, bring it on.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James has also issued subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that either did not confirm plans to end their agreements or failed to respond adequately. The subpoenas are directed at sheriff’s offices in Broome, Steuben, Nassau, and Rensselaer counties, along with the Nassau County Police Department.
If these agencies do not comply, the attorney general’s office has indicated that it will pursue civil action. Hochul clarified that law enforcement may only support ICE if a real crime has occurred, asserting that resources should not be wasted on civil immigration issues.
She expressed that local law enforcement should focus on tackling criminals, such as drug traffickers and illegal firearms dealers, rather than breaking up families. Blakeman, speaking at a press conference simultaneously with Hochul’s, refrained from confirming compliance with the state’s directives but mentioned he might join the sheriffs’ lawsuit.
In past comments, Blakeman has defended his collaboration with ICE, asserting that around 2,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records reside in his county. He accused Hochul of endangering neighborhoods by allowing these individuals to remain.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized Hochul, stating she should prioritize public safety over politics, warning that such policies could lead to more crime and innocent victims.
