New York Enacts Two Laws Limiting Local Cooperation With ICE

New York has enacted two new laws limiting the ability of local law enforcement agencies and county jails to assist federal immigration enforcement, marking a significant change in how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations can involve local resources.

The laws took effect Tuesday, August 25. Under the new rules, local police departments and sheriff’s offices are prohibited from entering into, renewing or maintaining formal 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Known as the “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” the legislation prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from performing federal civil immigration enforcement duties on behalf of ICE. Existing 287(g) agreements are also subject to termination.

Under the 287(g) program, local officers previously could perform certain immigration-related duties under ICE training and supervision. The new law ends that formal arrangement in New York. However, local law enforcement agencies can still cooperate with federal authorities in criminal investigations and cases involving serious crimes.

Before the law took effect, New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office directed 12 local law enforcement agencies to terminate their 287(g) agreements by August 25. Most agencies reportedly moved to end their agreements, although several counties resisted the directive.

The issue has already triggered legal challenges. Rensselaer County has joined a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the new law, while several sheriffs have also taken legal action. Some local officials argue that cooperation with ICE is necessary for public safety, while Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration maintains that local police should remain focused on fighting local crime.

At the same time, New York has implemented the “Dignity Not Detention Act,” which restricts the use of local and state government facilities to hold people accused of federal civil immigration violations.

The law prevents local governments and correctional facilities from entering into or continuing agreements with ICE to detain people for civil immigration purposes. It also provides for the termination of existing immigration detention agreements, including intergovernmental support arrangements.

The “Dignity Not Detention” provision, introduced by state Sen. Julia Salazar, was included in New York’s 2026 state budget.

The new laws do not eliminate ICE’s federal authority to enforce immigration laws in New York. Instead, they primarily restrict the use of local police, sheriff’s offices, jails and other government resources for federal civil immigration enforcement.

With the laws now in effect, however, legal challenges from several counties could intensify the broader dispute between New York state and the federal government over immigration enforcement policies.