Hochul Moves to Sever NY Police Ties with ICE, Escalating State-Federal Immigration Clash

By Jasper Ward, Reuters

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan 30 (Reuters) – In a direct challenge to federal immigration enforcement, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled legislation Friday that would bar local police and sheriffs from being deputized as federal immigration agents, effectively dismantling a key partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The "Protect Our Communities Act" seeks to terminate existing agreements that allow state and local officers to perform certain ICE functions under federal supervision. It would also prohibit police from using state resources or personnel to enforce federal civil immigration laws, a practice critics say erodes trust in immigrant communities.

"This bill draws a clear line," a senior administration official stated. "New York's law enforcement should focus on keeping all communities safe, not acting as an extension of federal immigration authorities."

The proposal arrives amid heightened national scrutiny over policing and follows recent, high-profile incidents involving federal agents. It would establish new safeguards, including a requirement for judicial warrants for immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations like homes and schools, and create a private right of action for individuals to sue over constitutional violations by federal officers.

With Democrats holding a firm majority in the state legislature, the bill is expected to face a receptive audience, setting the stage for a legal and political confrontation with Washington.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) swiftly condemned the move. "This decision will undoubtedly make New Yorkers less safe," said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. "When cooperation is blocked, ICE is forced to deploy more officers visibly into communities to arrest criminal aliens released from local jails, which is a far more disruptive approach."

New York's action aligns with a broader trend of so-called "sanctuary" policies adopted by several states and cities during the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown. However, Hochul's bill represents one of the most comprehensive state-level efforts to legally disentangle local policing from federal immigration mandates.

Voices from the Community:

Maria Fernandez, Community Organizer with "NY for All": "This is a long-overdue step toward rebuilding trust. For years, families have lived in fear that a routine traffic stop could lead to deportation. Police should protect us, not act as ICE agents."

David Chen, Small Business Owner in Flushing: "As a legal immigrant, I understand the need for orderly borders. But having local police do ICE's job creates confusion and fear. This bill provides needed clarity and allows our officers to focus on real crime."

Tom Riggs, Former NYPD Sergeant: "This is pure political posturing that handcuffs the police. It's reckless. We work with the FBI, the DEA—why suddenly draw the line at ICE when it comes to removing violent offenders who are here illegally? This puts ideology over public safety."

Anita Clarke, Law Professor at Columbia University: "Legally, this is a significant assertion of state authority. It tests the limits of the 'cooperative federalism' model in immigration enforcement and will likely face immediate legal challenges from the federal government."

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Scott Malone and Cynthia Osterman)