Hochul Countersues Rensselaer Sheriff Over 287(g) ICE Ban as 15 New York Sheriffs Challenge Law
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 28
Hochul Countersues Rensselaer Sheriff Over 287(g) ICE Ban as 15 New York Sheriffs Challenge Law
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 28
Summary
Late Thursday, Kathy Hochul announced a countersuit against the Rensselaer County sheriff, escalating enforcement of New York’s new law barring local police from entering 287(g) immigration agreements with ICE.
The governor argues the “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act” keeps officers focused on local public safety and still allows cooperation with federal authorities on criminal investigations and violent crime.
Fifteen sheriffs from counties stretching from Lake Champlain to the Massachusetts line have already sued to block the ban, making Rensselaer part of a broader legal challenge.
Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County’s executive and a Republican critic, said the policy was “written in the blood” of victims and warned it would make communities less safe by limiting ICE-assisted detentions.
The fight is widening into a 2026 campaign issue, with Hochul’s GOP opponents and other Republicans tying the law to violent-crime and immigration concerns across New York.
Could restricting local police from assisting federal agents actually force a more visible and disruptive federal law enforcement presence in your community?