Hochul Pushes Sweeping Sanctuary Crackdown on ICE Cooperation, Seeks Broad New Restrictions in State Law

Governor Kathy Hochul is advancing a major expansion of New York’s sanctuary-style policies, proposing new laws that would significantly limit how state and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities.

The governor, already under pressure from progressive lawmakers, unveiled the latest round of proposals during ongoing state budget negotiations, signaling a shift toward some of the most restrictive immigration cooperation policies in the country.

“I just want to have more protections in place that I think are long overdue. So I’m anxious to get this done,” said Hochul during a press event in Albany.

At the core of her plan is a broad effort to restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Under the proposal, police would be largely barred from working with ICE unless the situation involves a criminal conviction or officers have probable cause to suspect a misdemeanor or felony.

“Local cops should be focused on local crimes, keeping our streets safe . . . not doing ICE’s job,” said Hochul.

The governor’s plan goes further by attempting to redefine how and where federal immigration agents can operate within the state. One proposal expands the list of so-called “sensitive locations” where ICE would be restricted without a judicial warrant, extending protections to a wide range of public and quasi-public spaces including parks, shelters and housing accommodations.

Hochul also raised concerns about federal agents appearing at routine law enforcement operations such as sobriety checkpoints, suggesting such practices undermine the purpose of local policing.

“We’re talking about basically separating out civil infractions, vehicle and traffic law, for example, and other areas that they’ve been using as ruses,” she said. “There’s sometimes ICE officers, are at a DWI stop, are at a traffic stop. Like why are they there? Explain to me why they’re there.”

Another controversial component of the proposal would prohibit immigration agents – and other law enforcement – from wearing masks to conceal their identities during public interactions. The measure would classify violations as a misdemeanor, though questions remain about how the state would enforce such a rule on federal officers.

Yes, possibly sending ICE agents to jail for concealing their identity during enforcement operations, which Homeland Security has said is for their own safety.

The plan also seeks to prohibit state and local governments from entering into agreements with ICE that allow local officers to assist in federal immigration enforcement, including so-called 287(g) agreements. Public employees would be barred from using government time or resources to assist immigration authorities in civil enforcement matters.

That restriction extends across a wide range of public institutions. Schools, hospitals, libraries, shelters and other state or municipally operated facilities would be prohibited from granting ICE access to non-public areas without a judicial warrant. The proposal also applies to student protections, aiming to ensure that immigration status does not interfere with access to public education.

Hochul’s office framed the package as part of a broader push to protect residents and limit what it describes as federal overreach.

“New York prides itself on being the place that immigrants come to build a better life and we will not stand for senseless actions that stand in the way of that promise,” said Hochul. “My top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, which is why I’m proposing new measures to stop ICE’s flagrant abuse of power under the guise of public safety. By safeguarding basic rights and expanding protections that keep our communities safe, we are fighting to reassure every New Yorker that we will protect them from ICE overreach. The time to act is now.”

The governor’s latest proposals build on earlier initiatives introduced this year, including a plan to allow individuals to sue federal agents in state courts for alleged violations of constitutional rights. They also extend an executive order originally signed in 2018 by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, which limited state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

If enacted, the measures would effectively establish a comprehensive statewide sanctuary framework, codifying restrictions that have until now largely existed through executive action and local policies.

Hochul Pushes Sweeping Sanctuary Crackdown on ICE Cooperation, Seeks Broad New Restrictions in State Law