NEW YORK STATE (WRGB) — Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation to strengthen New Yorkers’ protections from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Her office says the plan is intended to safeguard constitutional rights, limit ICE access to sensitive locations unless there is a judicial warrant, and hold federal immigration officials accountable.
PREVIOUS: ICE agents deployed to 14 airports, Albany International unaffected
“New York prides itself on being the place that immigrants come to build a better life and we will not stand for senseless actions that stand in the way of that promise,” Hochul said in a statement.
Under the proposal, state, local, and federal law enforcement officers would be prohibited from wearing face coverings to conceal their identities, with limited exceptions.
Schools would also be protected as sensitive locations.
The proposal would allow New Yorkers to sue federal, state, and local officials under state law for alleged constitutional violations.
PREVIOUS: Albany County legislature votes to limit cooperation with ICE, Border Patrol
Senator Patricia Fahy (D–Albany) and Assemblymember Tony Simone (D—Manhattan) released the following statement upon news that Governor Hochul supports banning ICE agents’ use of masks or face coverings during civil immigration enforcement, laid out under the MELT (Mandating End of Lawless Tactics) Act:
“We are thrilled to see Governor Hochul’s support for our MELT (Mandating End of Lawless Tactics) Act, which prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks during civil immigration enforcement.
We’ve seen armed and masked federal agents operate as a paramilitary secret police force, which included extrajudicial killings of U.S. citizens.
Comment with Bubbles
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (5)
In New York State, we will hold them accountable and put an end to their reign of terror.”