Package Bans 287g and Detention Agreements, Fails to Bar Informal ICE Collusion with Local Law Enforcement
ALBANY – Today, Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature finalized their immigration package in the FY27 budget. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement, attributable to Executive Director Donna Lieberman:
“Amid a campaign of anti-immigrant cruelty by a massive, militarized, and malicious ICE, it is good news for New Yorkers that Albany is barring most formal types of collusion between local law enforcement and ICE with this package – but it is not enough.
“A dozen law enforcement agencies across New York have inked 287g agreements with ICE to use our local personnel and resources for ICE’s dirty work. No more – these will be nullified, something advocates have demanded for years. The package also includes other important provisions like barring state agencies from colluding with ICE and allowing New Yorkers to sue ICE in state court, and it reaffirms that all children can attend school regardless of a family’s immigration status. Together, these represent an important step toward ensuring immigrant New Yorkers can feel safer in our communities.
“Despite this, Albany has failed to adequately meet the moment and the ICE threat because it did not fully bar informal collusion between ICE and local officials. That means state leaders have left immigrant New Yorkers vulnerable to some of the most egregious instances of ICE cruelty and terror, including what happened to Nurul Amin Shah Alam.
“The legislative session is not over and there is still time to act with the urgency this moment demands. The New York for All Act would protect immigrant New Yorkers by establishing explicit firewalls against collusion, stopping ICE and CBP from using New York’s resources and taxpayer dollars for their agenda, and ensuring people know their rights when taken into custody.
“State leaders should pass the New York for All Act today and ensure immigrant New Yorkers have the protections they deserve.”
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