Citing what she calls the "chaos and fear" caused by current federal efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing legislation that would prohibit local law enforcement from being deputized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement. On Friday, Hochul announced the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which would also bar state and local police from acting as federal agents or using taxpayer-funded resources or personnel to carry out such enforcement. She says it would also prohibit federal agents from using local detention centers for civil immigration enforcement, mass raids, or the transportation of detainees. Hochul adds that the legislation does not prevent State Police or local police from continuing to work with federal law enforcement in criminal investigations. Seven other states -- Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut -- have also prohibited 287(g) agreements with ICE.
Photo by Governor Kathy Hochul's Office
