New York banned local police from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on exclusively civil immigration cases on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The measure aims to prevent immigrants from fearing to go to the police to report crimes or cooperate as witnesses for fear of facing immigration actions.

Governor Kathy Hochul explained that the «Local Police, Local Crimes» law seeks to keep federal immigration operations separate from the state’s police duties.

New York’s Cooperation with ICE is Limited

According to Hochul, local departments can still assist federal authorities when a person has committed a crime.

What’s changing: ICE can no longer rely on local police solely to detain people for civil immigration matters.

The limit: The rule does not eliminate cooperation when there is an investigation related to a crime.

Hochul accused the administration of Donald Trump of trying to use local police resources to drive its deportation policy.

The governor said officers must respond to those who break the law and not go to schools, churches, or businesses to help enforce «quotas» for immigration.

Police Warn that Collaborating with ICE Affects Trust

Brendan Cox, police chief of Albany, defended the separation between local police functions and the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

«When trust is broken and residents fear calling the police, victims remain silent, witnesses don’t speak… we’re all less safe,» he stated.

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Cox assured that since he started his career in 1994, the Albany local police have never been dedicated to executing civil immigration cases.

The argument: Authorities supporting the law argue that a victim or witness might avoid contacting the police if they fear immigration consequences.

The dispute: Some officials also question the 287(g) agreements, which allow certain forms of cooperation between local agencies and ICE.

Hochul assured that 60 of New York’s 62 counties already comply in practice with the rules established by the new legislation.

Nassau Remains at the Center of the Political Dispute

Cooperation between New York and ICE is Limited
Cooperation between New York and ICE is Limited. Photo EFE/EPA/Robert Perry

One of the exceptions mentioned is Nassau, where Republican Bruce Blakeman heads the county government.

Blakeman is seeking to dispute the governorship with Hochul in the upcoming elections and has already received Trump’s endorsement.

The political clash: The law’s implementation occurs while Republicans and Democrats maintain opposing positions on how much state authorities should collaborate with ICE.

The law’s entry into force has not closed the judicial battle.

A group of 15 sheriffs filed a lawsuit against New York to challenge the new legislation.

Fifteen Sheriffs Attempt to Block the New Law

Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James called the lawsuit a «frivolous waste of taxpayer money.»

Both assured that the courts had previously rejected an attempt to block the rule and expressed confidence that it will happen again.

What’s next: The new challenge will have to advance in the courts while the legislation remains in effect.

In the meantime: Hochul and James warned that they expect all of New York’s police agencies to comply with the law.

The battle will determine how far New York can go to keep its police out of ICE’s civil immigration operations.