Keeping New Yorkers Safe: Governor Hochul Introduces the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to Stop ICE from Co-Opting Local Law Enforcement

Governor Hochul today announced the introduction 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 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 for civil immigration enforcement, mass raids, or the transportation of detainees.

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. Additionally, these new actions build on the Governor's legislation to ensure sensitive locations are protected from civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant, including New Yorkers' homes.

"Over the last year federal immigration agents have carried out unspeakable acts of violence against Americans under the guise of public safety. These abuses - and the weaponization of local police officers for civil immigration enforcement - will not stand in New York," Governor Hochul said. "Today, I'm announcing new actions that will safeguard our communities against dangerous federal overreach and ensure that New York law enforcement is focused on keeping New Yorkers safe - not doing the job of ICE."

Current federal immigration efforts have created chaos and fear and undermined our democracy, leading to the loss of innocent lives, including U.S. citizens. The use of state or local law enforcement officers and assets for the enforcement of federal civil immigration violations in furtherance of the federal administration's immigration agenda draws critical public safety resources away from essential law enforcement functions that keep New York's residents and communities safe.

In New York, 14 New York law enforcement agencies across nine counties have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE. With this legislation, all existing 287(g) agreements will be void and New York will join seven other states that currently prohibit 287(g)s: Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced several proposals to protect New Yorkers amid an unprecedented escalation in aggressive federal immigration enforcement, including:

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.

Today, I'm announcing new actions that will safeguard our communities against dangerous federal overreach and ensure that New York law enforcement is focused on keeping New Yorkers safe - not doing the job of ICE."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, "Prosecutors can't do our jobs if victims and witnesses - our neighbors - are fearful of coming forward. We need to build community trust to keep everyone safe, and using local law enforcement to do federal civil immigration enforcement erodes our ability to do so. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to protecting all New Yorkers."

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, "Violence in Brooklyn is at a record low because we earned community trust and protect due process. When victims and witnesses fear that reporting a crime could lead to deportation, or that federal agents can enter a home, school, house of worship or hospital without a judge's warrant, people stop coming forward, crimes go unsolved and dangerous offenders evade accountability. Governor Hochul is right to ban 287(g) agreements and to require a judicial warrant before ICE enters sensitive locations. This keeps local law enforcement focused on serious crime, strengthens public safety, and helps ensure New Yorkers can seek justice without fear."

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said, "Public trust isn't separate from public safety - it's essential to it. When any member of our community is afraid to call the police, we all become less safe. Governor Hochul understands that, and her leadership on these proposals will help keep New York communities safe."

Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon said, "Our jobs as District Attorneys are to serve and protect the public and to promote justice. We work alongside a diverse group of law-enforcement partners who have a deep reservoir of trust with the community. And I will always stand firm against anyone who would abuse that trust."

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Tuolon said, "Strong communities are built on trust between residents and the officers who serve them. Right now, that trust is under stress and strain, and these measures help preserve it so we can continue keeping all New Yorkers safe. I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership with law enforcement on these urgent issues."

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said, "A same-sex couple in Upstate New York who fled persecution, followed every legal requirement, and were granted protection are now facing deportation to a country they have zero connection to. That is not what the American people signed up for. No one voted to deport hard-working people who came here for the most fundamental reason imaginable - to live and love openly without fear. I stand with Governor Hochul and support her proposals that back the constitutional rights afforded to everyone in New York State. This cruelty must end."

Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon said, "As prosecutors, it is essential that victims and witnesses feel safe coming forward, cooperating with law enforcement, and participating in the justice process. Section 287(g) undermines that safety by blurring the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement-particularly for New York's immigrant communities-and I fully support the Governor's decision to ban these agreements. When victims worry that reporting a crime could expose them or their loved ones to immigration consequences, crimes go unreported, offenders remain at large, and victims remain in danger. Over the past year, New York City has achieved historic reductions in violent crime, including on Staten Island, where 2025 saw the fewest murders in our borough's history. My office will continue to prosecute dangerous individuals who commit serious crimes, regardless of immigration status, and work with federal authorities when appropriate to hold violent offenders accountable, but Section 287(g) does not make victims safer. It discourages reporting, weakens prosecutions, and ultimately undermines public safety."

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said, "Effective policing depends on community trust. These proposals protect the relationships local law enforcement relies on to keep our neighbors safe, regardless of immigration status. I commend Governor Hochul for her leadership at this critical moment."

Contact the Governor's Press Office