ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – North Country sheriffs were in Albany Tuesday fighting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s law that says counties cannot have agreements to work with federal immigration agents.
Hochul’s law is known as the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
Fifteen sheriffs were in Albany to continue to challenge the law, saying what Hochul is doing is a constitutional overreach.
The law is intended to prevent local government entities and police or correctional agencies from entering into formal agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Barnett and St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle were part of the group in Albany.
Sheriffs seek temporary restraining order
Fifteen county sheriffs sued Gov. Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York state over the law.
The sheriffs have asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in the case.
That preliminary relief would preserve the status quo, keeping existing ICE agreements in force while the case is heard.
Case timeline
On Aug. 26, the day after the suit was filed, the court ordered the state to show cause why the sheriffs are not entitled to preliminary relief.
The state filed its opposition on Sept. 9, and the sheriffs’ reply was submitted Tuesday. The court will then decide whether to hold a hearing or make a ruling.
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