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New York limits local police cooperation with ICE
New York state laws, including the 'Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,' went into effect on August 25, 2026, strictly limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The legislation prohibits local agencies from maintaining 287(g) agreements, which previously allowed local officers to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that local police should focus on community safety and local crimes rather than assisting with federal immigration quotas, though they may still cooperate if a real crime is committed.
Despite the new mandate, reports indicate ongoing friction. The state Attorney General's office has issued subpoenas to counties, such as Nassau, that have not confirmed compliance. Simultaneously, a report from the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) and LatinoJustice PRLDEF revealed that various New York agencies have used Flock Safety license plate readers to conduct searches related to ICE, sometimes targeting individuals not suspected of any crime.
These legal shifts occur amid a significant rise in federal immigration activity. Data from UCLA and UC Berkeley shows that ICE arrests nationwide reached nearly 50,000 in July 2026, a notable increase from earlier in the year. While New York moves to decouple local policing from civil immigration matters, several county sheriffs have filed lawsuits to challenge the state's authority to restrict these partnerships.
Entities
Flock Safety · Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Kathy Hochul · LatinoJustice PRLDEF · Letitia James · New York · Surveillance Technology Oversight Project · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The state Attorney General's office issued subpoenas to counties that failed to terminate 287(g) agreements. www.epochtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nassau and Rensselaer counties were identified as not complying with the new law. www.longislandpress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act went into effect on August 25, 2026. offthepress.com · www.epochtimes.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] ICE arrests nationwide reached approximately 50,000 in July 2026. atento.com.do · timesofsandiego.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The new law bans 287(g) agreements that allow local police to be deputized for immigration enforcement. offthepress.com · www.epochtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The law restricts ICE access to sensitive locations like schools and churches. offthepress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Governor Kathy Hochul stated local police will only assist ICE if a real crime has been committed. offthepress.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] A report found NY police used Flock Safety license plate readers to assist ICE with immigration searches. elespecialitodigital.com · www.eldiariodehoy.com · www.diariolibre.com · laopinion.com