More than a dozen New York sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which bars local and state law enforcement from entering into partnerships with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for civil immigration enforcement. Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to the legal challenge by telling critics of the law to "bring it on."
The legislation, which Hochul signed in May and took effect August 26, prohibits agencies from assisting federal authorities on civil immigration matters and requires existing detention agreements with ICE to be terminated within three months. Officers may still assist ICE in cases involving violent crimes or other non-immigration offenses.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters of the law argue it protects public safety by ensuring local police focus on serious crime rather than immigration enforcement. Hochul has repeatedly stated that law enforcement will continue assisting federal authorities when "a real crime has been committed," but cannot divert resources to civil immigration matters.
"Because we need local cops hunting down criminals, not kindergartens. Breaking up drug rings, not breaking up families. Arresting gun runners, not grandmas," Hochul said at a Tuesday press conference. New York Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to sheriff's offices in Broome, Steuben, Nassau, and Rensselaer counties, as well as the Nassau County Police Department, demanding confirmation of plans to end ICE agreements or face civil litigation.
Progressive groups have praised the law as a necessary check on federal immigration enforcement, arguing that local police involvement in immigration matters erodes trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, making it harder to solve violent crimes. State Democratic legislators who backed the bill said it ensures resources remain focused on protecting New Yorkers from genuine threats.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics of the law say it obstructs federal immigration enforcement and puts communities at risk. Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, a Republican, criticized the governor's stance at a Tuesday press conference.
"Today, Kathy Hochul escalated her administration's war on the police and she expanded policies to put criminals before the citizens of New York," McLaughlin said. The lawsuit led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault argues the law is unconstitutional and unlawfully restricts elected sheriffs' ability to enter into federally authorized immigration-enforcement agreements.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who is running against Hochul in the gubernatorial election, has defended working with ICE. He told the New York Post he would "probably" join the sheriffs' lawsuit. Blakeman previously claimed that approximately 2,000 individuals with criminal records in his county are in the country illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement calling Hochul's position dangerous. "This type of insanity leads to more crimes and more innocent victims," a department spokesperson told the New York Post. Border czar Tom Homan has vowed to increase ICE presence in New York despite state resistance.
What the Numbers Show
According to Blakeman, Nassau County has approximately 2,000 individuals with criminal records who are in the country illegally. The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act requires existing ICE detention agreements to be terminated within three months of its August 26 effective date. Attorney General James issued subpoenas to five law enforcement agencies that either did not confirm plans to end their agreements or provided what her office considered unsatisfactory responses.
The law allows police assistance on violent crimes and non-immigration offenses but explicitly bars cooperation on civil immigration matters. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues the legislation unconstitutionally interferes with federal authority over immigration enforcement.
The Bottom Line
A legal showdown between New York state and local law enforcement agencies is now underway. The sheriffs' lawsuit will test whether the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act can withstand constitutional scrutiny, particularly regarding the separation of powers between state and federal authority on immigration matters. Hochul has warned that any agency ignoring the law and maintaining ICE agreements will face legal action from her administration. The case could have implications for similar "sanctuary state" policies in other jurisdictions facing pressure from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda.