SouthernWorldwide.com – New York sheriffs are expressing significant anger and are considering legal action against Governor Kathy Hochul. The governor’s push to ban local cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is at the heart of the dispute, with law enforcement officials arguing these partnerships are crucial for the safe removal of undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities.
This strong opposition emerges as Governor Hochul champions sweeping sanctuary policies within New York’s 2027 fiscal budget. These proposed policies include a prohibition on 287(g) agreements, which would limit ICE’s access to sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and churches, and impose restrictions on informal collaborations with the federal agency.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is also the Republican candidate for governor, has stated he is actively discussing potential lawsuits with sheriffs throughout the state. This unified front highlights the deep concern among law enforcement leaders regarding the governor’s proposed changes.
Among the sheriffs opposing the move towards making New York a sanctuary state is Todd Hood, Blakeman’s running mate and the sheriff of Madison County. Madison County itself entered into a 287(g) agreement with ICE in July of last year, underscoring their commitment to such partnerships.
The 287(g) program is a vital tool that empowers local and state law enforcement agencies. It allows designated officials to undertake specific immigration enforcement duties, operating under the direct supervision of federal immigration enforcement agents. This collaboration is designed to streamline the process of identifying and removing individuals who are in the country illegally and have committed crimes.
Currently, there are 14 active 287(g) agreements in place across nine counties in New York, involving various law enforcement agencies. These agreements represent a significant level of cooperation between federal and local authorities in managing immigration enforcement.
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Governor Hochul initially proposed the ban on 287(g) agreements back in January. At the time, she issued a stern warning, indicating that non-compliance with the ban would result in legal enforcement actions against those who fail to adhere to the new policy.
The operational benefit of a 287(g) agreement is particularly evident when local law enforcement apprehends an undocumented immigrant. The agreement allows these officers to immediately inform ICE of the individual’s custody status. This notification enables ICE to place a detainer on the individual, ensuring they are transferred directly to federal custody from the local jail. Without this agreement, ICE would be tasked with locating and apprehending the individual after their release back into the community, a process that can be significantly more challenging and less effective.
Nassau County itself formalized its 287(g) agreement with ICE in February 2025. Since the implementation of this agreement, approximately 3,200 undocumented immigrants who were arrested by local police have been handed over to ICE custody. This statistic illustrates the tangible impact of these cooperative efforts on immigration enforcement within the county.
A recent incident involving Elder Lopez Avalos, an undocumented immigrant arrested for setting ten cars on fire in Freeport, further highlights the importance of these partnerships. Avalos’s charges were not bail-eligible, leading to his release from local custody. However, due to Nassau County’s existing cooperation agreement with ICE, federal agents were able to detain him immediately after his court hearing, preventing his re-entry into the community.
Sheriff Todd Hood emphasized that effective law enforcement hinges on the seamless collaboration between all agencies and jurisdictions. He drew a parallel to ICE’s large-scale immigration crackdowns in Minnesota, where he argued this crucial inter-agency coordination was notably absent.
“Those local police should have been behind those agents, even if they’re not doing the actual immigration stuff,” Hood stated, referring to the operation. “They should have been there and had their backs down there, and that’s a massive failure by that state and that won’t happen under Bruce’s administration.” This sentiment underscores the belief that a united front is essential for successful public safety initiatives.
