Rensselaer County officials challenge New York immigration policy

Rensselaer County leaders are criticizing New York State’s ban on local 287(g) immigration agreements following the arrest of a 25-year-old Guatemalan man in Troy. The suspect, Kovy B. Carrillo-Flores, faces four counts of third-degree rape involving a 16-year-old girl. Officials reported that during the arrest, two police officers were injured.

County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Sheriff Kyle Bourgault argue that the state’s “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act” prevents local law enforcement from using federal databases to track the criminal history of undocumented individuals. They contend that the policy hinders public safety by limiting the ability to identify violent offenders.

Governor Kathy Hochul has maintained that local police should focus on local crimes rather than acting as immigration agents. The county is currently involved in legal battles with the state and Attorney General Letitia James regarding the enforcement of the ban.