Hochul boasts 'I just banned it' as New York outlaws local police partnerships with ICE

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has banned formal civil immigration enforcement agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, stating her priority is for officers to focus on local crime. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticizes the ban, asserting it will require more federal agents to operate in communities and citing cases where individuals arrested for serious crimes were released. Governor Hochul’s office disputes these claims, emphasizing the law’s focus on preventing the targeting of families and individuals.

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul banned local law enforcement from entering into civil immigration enforcement agreements with ICE.
• The ban is part of the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, signed in May and effective Tuesday.
• The DHS stated the restriction will force more federal agents into communities and cited cases involving individuals arrested for serious crimes.
• Hochul’s office disputed the DHS’s characterization, stating the law aims to protect families and individuals.
• Fifteen county sheriffs are challenging the law in federal court, claiming it overrides their authority.
• A federal judge previously denied the Justice Department’s request for a preliminary injunction against the ban in a separate case.