Hochul Proposes Expanded Restrictions on ICE Cooperation in New York

Governor seeks to limit information sharing and coordination between local police and federal immigration authorities, with some exceptions.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:51pm

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A realistic painting of a solitary police car parked on a dimly lit city street, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the complex relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration policies.As tensions over immigration enforcement escalate, Hochul's proposal seeks to redefine the boundaries between local police and federal immigration authorities in New York.NYC Today

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a plan to significantly restrict cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, while allowing limited coordination for serious crimes. The proposal aims to protect immigrant New Yorkers from escalating tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but has drawn criticism from some progressive groups who argue it still leaves dangerous loopholes.

Why it matters

Hochul's plan is part of a broader debate over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Advocates argue that limiting ICE cooperation helps build trust between immigrant communities and police, while critics say it hampers efforts to combat crime. The proposal also comes as New York grapples with the potential economic and demographic impacts of mass deportation, which a recent state report warned could be 'devastating' for the state.

The details

Hochul's key proposals include: banning state and local police from wearing masks or face coverings to conceal their identities during immigration enforcement; codifying public schools as 'sensitive locations' where ICE agents cannot enter without a warrant; allowing New Yorkers to sue federal officials who violate their constitutional rights; and ending formal '287(g)' agreements that deputize local police to perform federal immigration duties. However, the plan would still allow coordination between police and ICE if there is 'probable cause' to believe someone committed a crime beyond just immigration violations. This 'probable cause' standard has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and some Democratic lawmakers, who argue it gives officers too much discretion and could lead to racial profiling.

  • Hochul announced the proposal on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • The governor's office said the plan would establish a 'floor' for local sanctuary policies, allowing communities to still opt for more aggressive protections.

The players

Governor Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who proposed the new restrictions on ICE cooperation.

Bruce Blakeman

The Republican Nassau County Executive who previously signed an order allowing local police to conceal their identities during immigration enforcement.

EdTrust-New York

An education equity group that supported Hochul's proposal to codify public schools as 'sensitive locations' where ICE agents cannot enter without a warrant.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

A Democratic state senator who, along with Assemblymember Karines Reyes, criticized Hochul's 'probable cause' standard as endangering immigrants.

Natalia Aristizabal

The Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, an immigrant advocacy group, who warned the 'probable cause' standard could lead to discriminatory policing.

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What they’re saying

“Letting law enforcement hand New Yorkers over to ICE merely because they suspect unsubstantiated 'probable cause' means putting countless people at risk of deportation for crimes they didn't commit.”

— State Senator Andrew Gounardes, State Senator

“Probable cause is simply one officer's suspicion that meets the most meager test of possibility. This will radically increase racial profiling.”

— Coalition of NAACP, LatinoJustice, and AALDEF, Civil Rights Organizations

“If you're enforcing the law, you should not be hiding.”

— Governor Kathy Hochul

What’s next

The governor's proposal will now move to the state legislature for consideration. Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie acknowledged that the 'probable cause' standard remains a sticking point in negotiations, with many Assembly members still unsatisfied. Immigrant justice groups are also planning protests at the state Capitol to push for a complete ban on ICE cooperation.

The takeaway

Hochul's plan represents a significant shift in New York's approach to immigration enforcement, but it has drawn criticism from both sides of the debate. While the governor aims to protect immigrant communities, some advocates argue her proposal still leaves the door open for discriminatory policing and deportations. The outcome of this debate will have major implications for the rights and livelihoods of New York's large immigrant population.