New York Sheriffs Challenge State Law on ICE Cooperation

More than a dozen sheriffs in New York are taking legal action against a state law that stops local law enforcement from partnering with ICE for civil immigration enforcement. Governor Kathy Hochul has challenged these law enforcement leaders to “bring it on.”

Legal Dispute

Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault leads a federal lawsuit arguing that the law is unconstitutional. According to them, it unlawfully limits the sheriffs’ ability to collaborate on immigration enforcement authorized by federal law.

“Today, Kathy Hochul escalated her administration’s war on the police and she expanded policies to put criminals before the citizens of New York,” said Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive.

Local Cops, Local Crimes Act

Implemented Tuesday, the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act prohibits local and state law enforcement from assisting federal authorities in civil immigration matters. Existing agreements to house civil immigration detainees must be terminated within three months of the law’s activation.

Police are still allowed to assist ICE in cases involving violent or non-immigration crimes. However, officers cannot allocate local resources to support civil immigration enforcement linked to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

Governor Hochul’s Response

Governor Hochul has threatened legal action against localities defying the law, including her rival, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Some counties have agreements with ICE.

“No county executive should think that they are above the law in the state of New York,” she stated.

Hochul expressed that any police department or sheriff’s office not complying with the law could face legal repercussions.

Legal and Political Battle

Federal courts previously upheld the law according to Governor Hochul. Her firm stand: “bring it on” to those trying to challenge its implementation.

Attorney General Letitia James has sent subpoenas to several sheriff’s offices refusing to end agreements with ICE. The Attorney General’s office plans a civil suit if agencies do not comply.

Focus on Crime

Hochul makes clear that law enforcement should assist ICE only if a real crime occurred. Officers should focus resources on tackling serious crimes, rather than aiding in civil immigration enforcement.

“Because we need local cops hunting down criminals, not kindergartners. Breaking up drug rings, not breaking up families. Arresting gun runners, not grandmas,” Hochul said.

Political Positioning

Nassau County Executive Blakeman, at a press conference simultaneous to Hochul’s, did not clearly state his stance on compliance. He later indicated possible involvement in suing over the law.

Earlier, Blakeman defended ICE cooperation, citing the presence of illegal immigrants with criminal records in his county.

“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 immigrants with criminal records to live? You want it back in New York? We say no,” Blakeman emphasized.

Public Safety Concerns

The Department of Homeland Security criticized Hochul’s approach. A spokesperson remarked, “This type of insanity leads to more crimes and more innocent victims.”