Politics
New York sheriffs sue state over law banning local cooperation with ICE
Governor Kathy Hochul defended the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act as a federal lawsuit was filed and state officials issued subpoenas to non-compliant counties.
The short version
- Over a dozen New York sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new state law that prohibits local law enforcement from assisting ICE on civil immigration enforcement.
- The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act took effect Tuesday, barring new ICE partnerships and requiring existing civil detention agreements to end within three months.
- Governor Kathy Hochul threatened legal action against non-compliant localities, while Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to several county law enforcement agencies.
Key facts
- More than a dozen New York sheriffs, led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, filed a federal lawsuit arguing the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act is unconstitutional.[Fox News]
- The state law took effect on Tuesday, barring local and state law enforcement agencies from partnering with federal authorities on civil immigration enforcement while allowing cooperation for violent or non-immigration crimes.[Fox News]
- Existing local agreements to house civil immigration detainees must be terminated within three months under the law's provisions.[Fox News]
- 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, for failing to confirm compliance plans.[Fox News]
- Governor Kathy Hochul stated the state will sue any local government or police department that refuses to terminate its agreements with ICE.[Fox News]