NEW YORK (PIX11) – The clock is ticking for New York’s law enforcement agencies to end their agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but five are holding out.
The “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act” goes into effect on Aug. 25, banning local agencies from entering into or having agreements with ICE to carry out civil law enforcement.
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Attorney General Letitia James in July sent out a letter to 12 agencies with the agreements, asking for a plan to phase them out. As of Monday, five agencies have not responded, according to a spokesperson for James’ office.
“You’re on notice. [Days left] to formally unwind any agreements that you’ve had with ICE. And, for any that fail to comply, they will face legal action,” Hochul said at a news conference last week.
The law refers to 287(g) agreements, which allow ICE to delegate immigration enforcement authority to partnering law enforcement agencies. This allows a local officer to make immigration-related arrests.
Speaking last week, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman celebrated the county’s “orderly” work with ICE through these agreements. He did not commit to ending the county’s collaboration with the agency.
“We are talking to our lawyers; we are considering our options. I will be guided by the advice of counsel. It’s a shame, and it’s a disgrace, that our governor doesn’t recognize the harm being done,” Blakeman said at a news conference about President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Long Island.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.