NEWYORK: Governor Kathy Hochul announced a sweeping set of laws to protect New Yorkers against aggressive federal immigration enforcement as part of the FY27 Enacted Budget.
These new laws will keep local law enforcement focused on keeping our communities safe instead of doing ICE’s job, protect the constitutional rights of New Yorkers from federal overreach, and hold federal agents accountable.
“From day one, I have been clear: Flagrant abuses of power by ICE will not stand in New York. That is why we have enacted a comprehensive set of policies to hold ICE accountable, protect the constitutional rights and safety of every New Yorker, and ensure there’s no sanctuary for criminals in our state,” Governor Hochul said.
“States like New York can and must be a guardrail and national leader against ICE overreach, and I’m proud to enact these strong, common-sense protections for New Yorkers.”
Measures included in the Enacted Budget build on the Governor’s previously introduced proposals to protect New Yorkers amid an unprecedented escalation in aggressive federal immigration enforcement.
“New Yorkers are facing unprecedented threats from a federal government that has shown little regard for our rights or the Constitution. With these measures, we are stepping up to protect our communities and the civil rights that generations have fought and died to establish. New York’s comprehensive plan will prevent local officials from carrying out federal immigration policy, protect schools and other sensitive locations, and give New Yorkers a meaningful remedy if government agents violate their rights. I’m grateful to my colleagues and to Governor Hochul for making our state a leader in responding to these national threats. And to our immigrant communities and all New Yorkers across our state: stay strong. Your government will always have your back,” said State Senator Zellnor Myrie.
“This triumph is the culmination of years of hard-fought advocacy. From ending formal collusion through 287(g) agreements as part of my New York for All Act, banning local jails for ICE detention, preserving the dignity of all individuals, unmasking agents, and protecting our sensitive locations, each piece of this package is a resounding declaration that New York refuses to be complicit in the federal government’s campaign of fear. I am proud to see these safeguards signed into law, but formal collusion was never the only form of collusion. I look forward to continuing to work with advocates, colleagues, and the Governor to further improve immigrant protections — because no one should ever have to choose between safety and survival simply because of where they were born, and we will not rest until all New Yorkers can live without that fear,” said Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., prime sponsor of the Dignity Not Detention and New York for All Acts.
