New York sues Rensselaer County over ICE cooperation ban

A statewide ban on 287(g) agreements in New York has officially taken effect following the passage of the ‘Local Cops, Local Crimes Act’. The law prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements that allow local officers to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with civil immigration enforcement or the detention of individuals for federal immigration violations.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have filed a lawsuit against the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office for failing to comply with the new mandate. While twelve other jurisdictions in the state have dissolved their agreements, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office has maintained its contract with ICE since 2018. The Attorney General’s office previously issued a warning to the agency regarding the August 25 deadline to unwind the agreement, but officials in the county reportedly indicated an intent to defy the law.

The legislation also includes provisions that restrict ICE agents from wearing masks and limit their access to sensitive locations, such as schools, churches, and courthouses.