Hochul Proposal Allows Local Police to Cooperate with ICE on Criminal Cases

Immigration advocates express concerns over potential for abuse and erosion of protections for immigrant communities.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary police officer standing alone on a dimly lit city street corner, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the quiet tension and unease surrounding the immigration debate.The proposed expansion of local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities has sparked fears of increased targeting and mistrust within immigrant communities.NYC Today

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that under a proposed 'Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,' local law enforcement in New York would be prohibited from cooperating with ICE on civil immigration enforcement, but would still be able to collaborate with federal immigration authorities on certain criminal cases. This announcement has sparked outrage from immigrant rights groups who fear it could lead to the targeting of non-criminals and undermine efforts to protect vulnerable immigrant communities.

Why it matters

New York has long been considered a 'sanctuary' state, with laws and policies aimed at limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Hochul's proposal to allow some collaboration between local police and ICE on criminal cases is seen by advocates as a significant step backwards that could embolden discriminatory enforcement and put immigrant families at risk of deportation.

The details

Under the proposed 'Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,' local law enforcement agencies would be prohibited from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE, which allow police to act as immigration agents. The law would also bar police from using jails, technology, or personnel to assist ICE in civil immigration enforcement. However, Hochul stated that local police would still be able to cooperate with ICE on criminal cases where there is 'probable cause' of a crime, a provision that has alarmed immigrant rights groups.

  • Governor Hochul made the announcement on April 16, 2026 while discussing the proposed 'Local Cops, Local Crimes Act'.

The players

Governor Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who announced the proposed legislation allowing limited cooperation between local police and ICE on criminal cases.

Natalia Aristizabal

Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, an immigrant rights advocacy group that criticized Hochul's proposal.

Zach Ahmad

Senior Policy Counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union, who warned the proposal could lead to the abuse of immigrant protections.

Murad Awawdeh

President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, who called for the passage of the 'New York For All Act' to strengthen safeguards against ICE cooperation.

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What they’re saying

“Let's be clear: allowing for collusion if officers suspect 'probable cause' represents a major step backwards in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from federal immigration attacks.”

— Natalia Aristizabal, Co-Executive Director, Make the Road New York

“By giving police officers wide discretion to collude with ICE, the governor would leave immigrant New Yorkers in danger. We know how easy it is for law enforcement to claim probable cause to detain someone.”

— Zach Ahmad, Senior Policy Counsel, New York Civil Liberties Union

“Immigrant New Yorkers are living under constant threats of ICE terror – and unfortunately, local police in New York State are being weaponized to do ICE's dirty work.”

— Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition

What’s next

The 'Local Cops, Local Crimes Act' must still be passed by the state legislature before Hochul's proposal can be implemented.

The takeaway

Hochul's plan to allow limited cooperation between local police and ICE on criminal cases has sparked fierce backlash from immigrant advocates who fear it could undermine New York's sanctuary policies and lead to the targeting of non-criminals. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between public safety, civil liberties, and immigration enforcement.