DHS Announces New Reimbursement Opportunities for State and Local Law Enforcement Partnering with ICE to Arrest the Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens

Funding from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill supported the expansion of 287(g) partnerships with state and local law enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new reimbursement opportunities for state and law enforcement who are helping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest and remove the worst of the worst including murderers, gang members, rapists, terrorists, and pedophiles from American communities.  

Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE supercharged efforts with state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officers in our efforts to make America safe again. 287(g) partnerships have increased 609%—from 135 agreements to 958. 

The 287(g) Program Task Force Model provides participating state and local law enforcement with the tools, training, and resources to enforce immigration laws while performing routine police duties. Currently, state and local police are participating from 40 states, with 8,501 Trained Task Force Officers and over 2,000 additional officers in-training. 

Starting October 1, 2025, participating law enforcement will have these reimbursement opportunities: 

• ICE will fully reimburse participating agencies for the annual salary and benefits  of each eligible trained 287(g) officer, including overtime coverage up to 25% of the officer’s annual salary.
• Law enforcement agencies will be eligible for quarterly monetary performance awards based on the successful location of illegal aliens provided by ICE and overall assistance to further ICE’s mission to Defend the Homeland:
  • 90% - 100% - $1,000 per eligible task force officer
  • 80% - 89% - $750 per eligible task force officer
  • 70% - 79% - $500 per eligible task force officer 

"ICE is not only supercharging our hiring, we are also multiplying partnerships with state and local law enforcement to remove the worst of the worst including murderers, gang members, rapists, terrorists, and pedophiles from our country. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE launched a new reimbursement program for state and local law enforcement who partner with DHS to make America safe again,” said ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan. “We encourage all state and local law enforcement agencies to sign a 287(g) agreement now. By joining forces with ICE, you’re not just gaining access to these unprecedented reimbursement opportunities—you’re becoming part of a national effort to ensure the safety of every American family.”  

DHS encourages all state and local law enforcement agencies to sign a 287(g) agreement to help defend the homeland and to gain access to these reimbursement opportunities. Learn more at https://www.ice.gov/287g. 

The Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging Illinois Laws Providing In-State Tuition and Scholarships for Illegal Aliens

 

The United States is challenging Illinois laws providing in-state tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships, in direct conflict with federal law. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the Southern District of Illinois against the State of Illinois, Governor Pritzker, the State Attorney General, and the boards of trustees of state universities in Illinois seeking to enjoin the State from enforcing the Illinois laws and bring them into compliance with federal requirements.

In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of Illinois laws that requires colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain Illinois residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Federal law prohibits institutions of higher education from providing benefits to aliens that are not offered to U.S. citizens. The Illinois laws blatantly conflict with federal law and are thus in conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice has already filed multiple lawsuits to prevent U.S. students from being treated like second-class citizens — Illinois now joins the list of states where we are relentlessly fighting to vindicate federal law.”

“Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state. Its misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “This policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime. Illinois citizens deserve better.”

This lawsuit follows two executive orders signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment. The first, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders" orders all agencies to “ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.” The second, “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens," directs relevant officials to “take appropriate action to stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens.”

Attorney General James Wins Latest Challenge to Trump Administration’s Tariffs

 

U.S. Court of Appeals Sides with AG James and 11 Other States in Ruling Trump Administration’s “Emergency” Tariffs Illegal

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that the Trump administration’s tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are illegal. The court ruled in favor of Attorney General James and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general who sued the Trump administration in April for violating the law by imposing massive new tariffs under IEEPA, causing severe economic turmoil for workers and businesses:

“Once again, a court has ruled that the president cannot invent a fake economic emergency to justify billions of dollars in tariffs. These tariffs are a tax on Americans — they raise costs for working families and businesses throughout our country, causing more inflation and job losses. This decision is yet another major victory in our efforts to uphold the law and protect New Yorkers’ wallets.”

In April, Attorney General James and the coalition sued the Trump administration for unlawfully imposing tariffs under IEEPA. In May, the United States Court of International Trade ruled in favor of Attorney General James and the coalition, deciding that the Trump administration’s tariffs issued under IEEPA are invalid. The U.S. Court of Appeals today affirmed that the Trump administration does not have the authority to impose these tariffs by executive order under IEEPA. 

Joining Attorney General James in this challenge to the administration’s tariffs are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.

Before the First Day of School, Governor Hochul Reminds Parents to Review the Distraction-free Policy for Their Child’s School District

Starting This Week, New York Requires Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide

New Yorkers Can Visit ny.gov/phonefree To Find the Distraction-Free Policy Published by Their Child’s School District

With the first day of school coming up this week, Governor Hochul is once again reminding New York parents to visit ny.gov/phonefree to review the distraction-free learning policy for their child’s school district or charter school. As part of New York State law, K-12 public schools, charter schools and BOCES are now implementing bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices. The ny.gov/phonefree webpage enables parents and students to look up the distraction-free policies published by approximately 1,080 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES.

“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York schools are ready for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage parents to review the distraction-free policy for their child’s school district to help prepare for this important transition, which I know will deliver incredible results for students, teachers and families.”

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Preventing inequitable discipline

Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report, “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:

• Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
• Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
• Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
• Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
• Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
• An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
• Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming

 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE LABOR DAY SHOOTINGS

 

"After a day of celebration for the community and city, the plague of gun violence struck. I pray for the swift recoveries of the New Yorkers injured in these separate attacks and am relieved that all appear to be in stable condition.

 

"Recent weeks have seen horrible violence in several boroughs. After all of our public safety partners collaborated to produce a decrease in violence through most of Labor Day weekend, it was marred at its end by multiple shootings in close succession and proximity. That people could bring guns into the area and carry out these shootings, despite immense police presence and dedicated teams of community anti-violence workers, demonstrates the depth to which this epidemic has infected our city and nation. 

 

"It also shows that the best way to prevent that violence is to stop someone from picking up a gun in the first place, in part by strongly limiting access to these weapons of war. Communities across the city, including in Central Brooklyn, face the realities of gun violence year-round. We need strategies to address both the supply and demand components of that violence, ones that will keep us all safe every weekend, on every street." 

DEC and Partners Confirm Laurel Wilt Invasive Plant Disease on Long Island

 

First Detection in New York State

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture and Markets (AGM), Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County, and the Cornell University Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (CU-PDDC) confirmed the presence of the invasive plant disease laurel wilt on Long Island, marking the first discovery of the plant disease in New York State. Originating in Asia and first identified in the U.S. in Georgia in 2002, the disease is deadly to plants and present in multiple southeastern states, with the northernmost cases prior to New York’s detection in Kentucky and Virginia.

“The detection of laurel wilt on Long Island marks a troubling new chapter in the spread of this invasive plant disease,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “DEC is collaborating with our conservation partners to understand the extent of impacted trees, evaluate control options, and launch public outreach to increase awareness about laurel wilt and how to report it.”

Laurel wilt is a fungal pathogen that kills trees and shrubs in the laurel family. Laurel wilt is spread by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, which introduces the fungus when it tunnels into the stems and branches of host plants, leaving behind the fungal spores. In New York, native species at risk are sassafras and spicebush. Despite its name, mountain laurel is not in this family and is not impacted by the disease.   

The Suffolk County case originated when a private landowner in the village of Northport observed a dying sassafras on their property this summer and sent a sample to the Suffolk County CCE to diagnose the problem. Cornell University’s Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center then isolated the fungus and CU-PDDC confirmed the identification, followed by confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.   

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We’re collaborating closely with our partners to respond to this detection of laurel wilt on Long Island. As we continue to learn more about the spread of this harmful plant disease and how to control it, we’re also working to increase awareness of this find and encouraging the public to report any sightings.”   

Cornell University Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic Director Karen Snover-Clift said, “Cornell’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic has been building molecular testing capacity for years and is well-prepared to respond to emerging threats like laurel wilt. The CU-PDDC is proud to serve as the state’s primary laboratory for confirming future samples.”

The loss of sassafras and spicebush could have wide-ranging impacts on southern New York’s forests and wildlife. Both species provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and mammals. Spicebush berries are a critical fall food source for migratory birds, while the leaves of both spicebush and sassafras support the larvae of native butterflies such as the spicebush swallowtail. Their decline would reduce forest diversity, weaken natural food webs, and increase native forest susceptibility to invasive plants.

Laurel wilt causes rapid decline in sassafras and spicebush. Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• Sudden wilting of leaves;
• Dark streaking of sapwood beneath the bark; and
• Small entry holes on the branches, trunk, or roots, which are sometimes surrounded by fine sawdust-like “toothpicks” pushed out from the bark.

For members of the public who encounter symptomatic sassafras and spicebush:

• Submit a report through nyimapinvasives.org; and 
• Do not move or transport branches, trunks, or bark from symptomatic sassafras or spicebush, even for disposal. Chip dead wood and use it as mulch on-site.

People often use wood from trees that have died on their property as firewood when they go camping, which can allow invasive pests and diseases to spread long distance in a short period of time. To help stop the spread of laurel wilt and other invasives, follow DEC’s firewood regulations and use local or heat-treated firewood.

Cornell University is hosting an information session on Sept. 10 about the laurel wilt detection. The public is encouraged to attend. To learn more, visit the DEC Laurel Wilt webpage. 

2025 VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA)–SEPT 10–MONTHLY MEETING—7PM

 

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE

SEPT. 10, 2025 MONTHLY MEETING

7:00 PM

1830 AMETHYST STREET

GROUND FLOOR, COMMUNITY ROOM

CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 13

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance

www.facebook.com/VanNestNeighborhoodAlliance

Comptroller Lander’s Office Hits $15 Million Mark in Securing Back Wages for Workers

Comptroller reached $855K settlement with ICP Construction/CLS Project Solutions for NYPD precincts & 1PP renovation contractors 

On Labor Day, the New York City Comptroller’s office announced that it recovered $15 million for workers whose employers failed to pay them prevailing wages and benefits since the start of Comptroller Lander’s term in 2022. This total includes a settlement reached this month for over $855,000 for 22 workers who renovated and rehabilitated police precincts citywide and at the NYPD’s headquarters at 1 Police Plaza, as well as two for over $3 million for subway cleaners during the pandemic.  

“Because of the hard work of my office, we have recovered $15 million for thousands of New York City workers who worked hard to renovate our NYPD precincts and bus depots, build our schools, clean our subways, and staff our apartment buildings, but were cheated out of the prevailing wages they were owed” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “These are hardworking New Yorkers who keep our city running our city and deserve every penny they rightfully earned. My office works hard to have their backs every day – and we have no intention of stopping now.”  

“When companies deny workers their rightful wages, they undermine labor standards and fairness,” said Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights at the Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law. “This settlement with ICP Construction is a testament to our commitment to fair pay for the New Yorkers who work tirelessly to build and improve our city. Every settlement should serve as a reminder that contractors doing business with the city must adhere to prevailing wage laws, and companies that neglect to pay their workers will be held accountable. We are proud to reach the $15 million benchmark under Comptroller Lander.” 

Construction and other workers on City-funded projects are required to be paid prevailing wages and benefits as set forth in the Comptroller’s Prevailing Wage Schedule. The Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law determined that from October 22, 2018 through November 24, 2020, ICP Construction and their prime contractor CLS Project Solutions failed to pay their workers prevailing wages as required by law for the bathroom renovation work at 1 Police Plaza, resulting in an underpayment of $645,971. BLL reached a settlement providing for $645,971 in underpayment, $117,715 in interest to workers, and $91,642 in civil penalty to the City for a total of $855,328.42. 

Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Law reached a groundbreaking settlement of $3 million with two MTA subcontractors, Fleetwash and LN Pro, that hired subway cleaners during COVID-19 but did not pay them the prevailing wage.  

Under the New York Labor Law, the New York City Comptroller sets and enforces prevailing wage laws for public works projects and City-owned properties in the City of New York. The New York Labor Law requires that prevailing wages and supplemental benefits be paid to employees on certain publicly funded projects, including construction workers, building service workers, and temporary office workers.   

Investigator Rudolpho Donawa conducted the investigation of ICP Construction under the supervision of Francisco Gonzalez, Director of Investigations, and Jose Quiroz, Deputy Director of Investigations. Ilona Stadnicka, Auditor, performed the audit of underpayments under the supervision of Stuart Rimmer, Director of Audit.  Supervising Attorney Amy Luo negotiated the settlement. Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights oversees the Bureau of Labor Law. 

For a list of all settled cases and workers rights information, visit https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/workers-rights/overview/