District Attorneys, County Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, and County Executives from Across New York Voice Support for Governor’s Proposed Ban on 287(g) Agreements
Legislation Would Ensure Local Law Enforcement Is Focused on Fighting Crime and Prevent Resources from Being Used by Federal Authorities to Enable Mass ICE Operations Against New Yorkers
Would Not Prohibit Local Law Enforcement or State Police From Continuing To Work With Federal Law Enforcement in Criminal Investigations
Governor Hochul today hosted a roundtable with law enforcement and elected officials to announce growing support for the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which would prohibit local law enforcement from being deputized by ICE for federal civil immigration enforcement. Joined by more than a dozen district attorneys, county sheriffs, police chiefs, and county executives from across the state, the Governor highlighted her commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe by ensuring local police are focused on fighting local crime.
In the last two weeks, additional law enforcement and elected officials from across the state have expressed support for the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. The legislation would eliminate 287(g) agreements, barring state and local police from acting as federal agents or using taxpayer-funded resources or personnel to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement. It would also prohibit federal agents from using local detention centers to house civil immigration detainees. The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act would not prevent police from working with ICE or other federal law enforcement to apprehend dangerous criminals.
“Today I heard from a bipartisan group of law enforcement and elected officials about the importance of keeping our police resources focused where they are needed most – in our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “That is why I have proposed common sense legislation to send a clear message: New York will not tolerate flagrant abuses of power by ICE carried out in the name of public safety.”
Last month, Governor Hochul introduced the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act , a series of comprehensive legislation to protect New Yorkers, strengthen constitutional safeguards, and prohibit local law enforcement from being deputized by ICE for federal civil immigration enforcement. The Governor was joined by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox and more than a dozen district attorneys, county sheriffs and police chiefs. Today, the list of supporters has grown to 29 individuals:
- Albany County Executive Dan McCoy
- Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon
- Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple
- Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox
- Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez
- Broome County Executive Jason Garnar
- Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant
- Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
- Kingston Deputy Police Chief Ricky Negron
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
- Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green
- Mt. Vernon Police Chief Marcel Olifiers
- New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch
- Onondaga County District Attorney William “Bill” Fitzpatrick
- Onondaga County Sheriff Tobias Shelley
- Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz
- Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon
- Rochester Police Chief David Smith
- Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans
- Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr.
- Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin
- Tompkins County District Attorney Matt Van Houten
- Ulster County District Attorney Manny Nneji
- Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa
- Utica Police Chief Mark Williams
- Utica Deputy Police Chief Ed Noonan
- Washington County District Attorney J. Anthony “Tony” Jordan
- Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins
In New York, 14 law enforcement agencies including 10 County Sheriff's Offices, 1 County Police Department and 3 Municipal Police Departments are currently operating under various 287(g) agreement enforcement models. If enacted, this legislation would void all existing 287(g) agreements across the state.
The Governor’s proposal builds on recent legislation introduced as part of her State of the State agenda to protect the constitutional rights of New Yorkers from federal overreach and hold federal agents accountable for unconstitutional action, and to ensure sensitive locations including New Yorkers’ homes are protected from civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
Establishing a Right To Sue Federal Officers for Constitutional Violations
With unprecedented escalations in aggressive federal immigration enforcement, communities across the United States are reeling from heavy-handed tactics that have been alleged to trample on constitutional rights.
To protect communities across the state and ensure accountability when constitutional rights are violated, Governor Hochul will advance legislation that gives New Yorkers a clear path to seek justice when their rights are violated.
The proposal authorizes individuals to bring state-level civil actions against federal officers who violate New Yorkers' U.S. constitutional rights, consistent with the same legal standards that already exist for state and local officers under federal civil rights law. By aligning state law with existing federal civil rights frameworks, this proposal reinforces constitutional protections and provides New Yorkers with a meaningful legal recourse when federal authority is unconstitutionally abused in New York.
Protecting New Yorkers in Sensitive Locations
For decades, federal policy under both parties has limited warrantless civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship. Recent federal changes have rolled back these protections, disrupting public safety, school communities, access to care, and trust in critical institutions.
New Yorkers should be able to attend school, access child care, seek medical care, worship, and reside in their private homes in peace. Governor Hochul has proposed legislation to ensure sensitive locations – including homes – can be protected from civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. This measure will help provide stability for children and families in essential community spaces.
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