New York Sheriffs File Lawsuit Against State Law Banning Cooperation with ICE

<p>More than a dozen sheriffs in New York have filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that prohibits law enforcement from entering into or maintaining certain agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement. The lawsuit, led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, claims that the law is unconstitutional and unlawfully restricts elected sheriffs’ ability to engage in federally authorized immigration-enforcement agreements.</p><p>Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin criticized Governor Kathy Hochul's administration, stating, "Today, Kathy Hochul escalated her administration’s war on the police and she expanded policies to put criminals before the citizens of New York." The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, signed by Hochul in May, took effect on August 26, 2026, and bars local and state law enforcement agencies from forming partnerships with federal authorities for civil immigration matters. The law also prohibits new agreements to house civil immigration detainees, requiring existing agreements to be terminated within three months.</p><p>While police may still assist ICE in cases involving violent or other non-immigration crimes, they are not allowed to divert local resources for civil immigration enforcement. Hochul indicated that localities refusing to comply with the law could face legal action. "No county executive should think that they are above the law in the state of New York," she stated during a press conference.</p><p>Hochul warned that any police department or sheriff’s office that ignores the law and maintains an agreement with ICE will be subject to legal consequences. "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," she declared.</p><p>New York Attorney General Letitia James has also issued subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that did not confirm plans to end their agreements with ICE. If these agencies fail to comply, the attorney general plans to file a civil suit. Hochul has emphasized that law enforcement will assist ICE only in cases where a real crime has been committed, stating, "Because we need local cops hunting down criminals, not kindergartners. Breaking up drug rings, not breaking up families. Arresting gun runners, not grandmas."</p><p>Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has agreements with ICE, did not confirm whether he would comply with the state orders but indicated he would likely join the sheriffs' lawsuit. He has defended working with ICE, claiming that about 2,000 individuals with criminal records reside in his county. The Department of Homeland Security criticized Hochul's approach, stating, "This type of insanity leads to more crimes and more innocent victims."</p>