WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Two North Country sheriffs are part of more than a dozen New York sheriffs who plan to sue the state over the ICE cooperation ban.
The law bans 287(g) agreements with federal immigration enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Those agreements give certain immigration enforcement powers to local police.
St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle had previously planned a partnership between his sheriff’s office and ICE.
“I don’t need an agreement to do the right thing,” Engle said.
Sheriffs sue the state
The group of sheriffs is suing the state, arguing the law is unconstitutional.
Chris Tague said, “That doesn’t make New York safer my friends, and frankly I’m tired of Albany politicians treating our sheriffs like they’re the problem.”
Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Barnett is part of the group suing, arguing the limitation could endanger citizens.
“I took an oath to protect and serve our citizens,” Barnett said. “I’ll be damned if I get played like a political pawn and you jeopardize the citizens of Jefferson County for some dark sided political agenda.”
State responds
A joint statement from Governor Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James says the lawsuit is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The statement says ICE terrorizes communities and families with indiscriminate raids and detains people without regard for criminal record.
Hochul and James do not expect the suit to hold up in court.
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