NY Governor Unveils Expanded Immigration Protection Proposals

Hochul's 'Local Cops, Local Crimes' plan aims to limit local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:58am

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A photorealistic painting of a lone police officer standing on a dimly lit city street corner, the officer's figure cast in warm, golden light and deep shadows, capturing a sense of solitude and contemplation.Hochul's immigration enforcement proposals aim to redefine the role of local police, limiting their involvement in federal deportation efforts.Albany Today

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new set of proposals to expand immigration protections in the state. The 'Local Cops, Local Crimes' plan would prohibit local police from assisting federal immigration authorities with civil immigration enforcement, except in cases involving serious criminal offenses. Hochul says the goal is to 'protect New Yorkers from federal overreach and prioritize public safety' by limiting the role of local law enforcement in deportations and family separations.

Why it matters

The proposed policies reflect an ongoing tension between state and federal authority over immigration enforcement. Hochul's plan aims to reduce the involvement of local police in federal immigration actions, which advocates say can erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. However, critics argue the changes could hamper cooperation on criminal matters involving undocumented individuals.

The details

Under Hochul's proposals, local police would be barred from sharing information or resources with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement. The plan would also prohibit teachers, government workers, and other officials from assisting in the separation of children from their families due to immigration status. Hochul stated that of the 14,000 New Yorkers taken into custody by ICE, only 700 had any criminal history.

  • Governor Hochul announced the proposals on April 17, 2026.

The players

Governor Kathy Hochul

The current Governor of New York, who has proposed the 'Local Cops, Local Crimes' plan to limit local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, which Hochul's proposals aim to restrict from collaborating with local police on civil immigration matters.

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What they’re saying

“Under what I have proposed, when it comes to civil immigration enforcement, ICE will no longer be able to infiltrate our cities and our towns using our police, our jails, or our law enforcement technology. We'll prohibit teachers and government workers from helping separate children from their families and other detentions. Local law enforcement will only cooperate when a real crime is involved.”

— Governor Kathy Hochul

What’s next

The proposals will now go through the state legislative process, where they will need to be approved by the New York State Assembly and Senate before being signed into law by Governor Hochul.

The takeaway

Governor Hochul's immigration protection proposals aim to limit the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement, a move that reflects the ongoing debate over the balance of state and federal authority on this issue. The plan seeks to build trust between immigrant communities and police while still allowing cooperation on criminal matters, though critics argue it could hinder cooperation on certain cases.