The Rensselaer County Sheriff\u2019s Department\u2019s 287(g) agreement, which has been in effect since 2018, uses the Jail Enforcement Model \u2014 which \u201callows designated immigration officers to identify and process removable aliens who have pending or active criminal charges,\u201d according to the ICE website.<\/p>\n
According to Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, a Republican, during a press conference on Tuesday, since 2018 the county jail \u201chas identified (nine) that have been removed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The state alleges that the sheriff\u2019s office has \u201cfailed to perform duties required of it under state law,\u201d according to the release. The suit filed requests that the Rensselaer County Supreme Court order the sheriff\u2019s office to terminate its 287(g) agreement, and to declare the agreement \u201cvoid and unenforceable,\u201d the release added.<\/p>\n
Last month, James, a Democrat, sent letters to the 12 local law enforcement agencies in New York that had 287(g) agreements with ICE, informing them that state law requires that they unwind the agreements by Aug. 25, 2026.<\/p>\n
Through the Office of Immigrant Trust (OIT), state officials said the attorney general\u2019s office will ensure that municipalities comply with New York law.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s lawsuit is the first legal action brought by the OAG\u2019s newly established Office of Immigrant Trust (OIT) under the LCLCA,\u201d the release said. \u201cThe OIT was created to enforce New York laws limiting state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement and is authorized to investigate potential violations and bring civil actions when warranted.\u201d<\/p>\n
James said that all law enforcement agencies are expected to follow state law. In June, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the LCLCA \u2014 On Aug. 3 , the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York denied the federal government\u2019s request to block New York\u2019s ban on 287(g) agreements, allowing the state\u2019s Aug. 25 deadline to remain in effect, the release said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll law enforcement agencies are expected to uphold New York\u2019s laws,\u201d James said in a press release. \u201cThe Rensselaer County Sheriff\u2019s Office has been given every opportunity to follow the law, yet has chosen not to. My office is suing to enforce New York\u2019s laws and ensure that local law enforcement agencies remain focused on their most fundamental responsibility: keeping New Yorkers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The state\u2019s measure comes on the heels of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, a Republican, announcing that the county filed its own lawsuit in the Northern District of New York challenging the statewide ban on Tuesday. McLaughlin has maintained he has no intention of dissolving the agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to answering this legal action,\u201d Richard Crist, spokesman for Rensselaer County, said to The Record.<\/p>\n
However, Hochul has remained steadfast in her commitment to eliminating 287(g) agreements across New York. She called the county\u2019s opposition to complying with the law a \u201cfailure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCompliance with the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act is not optional,\u201d Hochul said in the release. \u201cRensselaer County\u2019s failure to act in accordance with the law sends a clear message: these elected leaders are not serious about New Yorkers\u2019 safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we are taking action to ensure the Rensselaer County Sheriff\u2019s Office performs the duties required of it under state law, because no one in New York State is above the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n Body camera video shows now-former Towns County sheriff Kenneth Henderson confronting a Hiawassee officer at a scene where a deputy had suffered a gunshot wound\n <\/p>\n August 26, 2026 12:20 PM<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n A gun-toting suspect fled from Hartford officers in a vehicle; when officers stopped the car, he got out and engaged in a shootout that left two officers wounded by gunfire\n <\/p>\n August 26, 2026 12:38 PM<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n The $200,000 settlement is fruit of a lawsuit alleging Chicopee unfairly paid recruits unfairly while they attended the Police Academy\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n A grand jury recommended abolishing the Prichard Police Department after several officers and its chief were arrested in a corruption scandal\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 The Record, Troy, N.Y.. Visit www.troyrecord.com<\/a>. ![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787928610_902_.png\")
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