Kathy Hochul Is Protecting Immigrants from ICE at the New York State Fair

State leaders say safeguards are firmly in place to protect immigrants at this year’s New York State Fair. With the 13-day event underway, fair officials emphasized that policies limit the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to carry out enforcement actions on the fairgrounds.

Fair Director Julie LaFave explained that the topic of potential ICE activity is considered part of the fair’s long-term planning.

“We have pre-safety meetings all 11 months of the year leading up to the fair, so we talk about any topic that we think could be a concern, and that is included in that,” LaFave said.

The fair’s immigration enforcement policy, implemented in 2019, requires ICE agents to follow strict procedures before taking any action on site. Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the state maintains a consistent approach across all public facilities.

“We have very strong protocols on our expectations,” Hochul said. “If an ICE agent arrives here, they have to show identification. They have to have a warrant or a civil arrest record.”

LaFave noted that if an agent does not follow these requirements, state police will be called immediately.

The guidelines are designed to ensure that civil immigration enforcement cannot occur without judicial oversight. The State Fair’s official policy states:

Federal immigration authorities must identify themselves at the State Fair Administration Building, provide identification and produce a judicial warrant prior to executing a civil arrest or conducting any related civil enforcement activity.

Federal immigration authorities observed engaging in civil immigration enforcement activities on the Fairgrounds who have not: (1) identified themselves to a designated State official at the State Fair Administration Building; (2) provided notice of their intent to engage in civil enforcement activities; and (3) presented a judicial warrant authorizing them to conduct such activities, will be requested to immediately cease the activity, provide identification, and produce a judicial warrant. Any individual presenting as a federal immigration authority and engaging in civil immigration enforcement activities on the Fairgrounds who refuses or is unable to comply with the identification, notice, and/or warrant presentation requirements will be deemed a trespasser and the New York State Police will be notified.

In addition to these protections, the fair highlights immigrant communities through cultural programming. Each year includes events that celebrate diversity, such as Friday’s scheduled naturalization ceremony for new citizens.

New York State Protecting Immigrants from ICE at State Fair