New York counties challenge state law banning ICE cooperation

A legal battle has erupted in New York following the August 25, 2026, implementation of the Local Cops Local Crimes Act (LCLCA). The law prohibits local police departments and state agencies from maintaining agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement, specifically targeting 287(g) agreements that allow local officers to assist in detaining individuals.

Governor Kathy Hochul stated that local law enforcement should focus on local crimes rather than civil immigration matters, warning that any department disobeying the law will face legal action. In response, 15 county sheriffs have filed a federal lawsuit against the state, arguing the law violates the Tenth Amendment and interferes with local public safety decisions.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial race against Hochul, announced that while Nassau will technically comply with the law to avoid legal repercussions, the county will join the federal lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Meanwhile, Rensselaer County has refused to end its ICE agreement, prompting the state to initiate legal proceedings against its sheriff’s office.

The conflict is increasingly shaping the New York governor's race, with immigration and public safety serving as central campaign issues.