New York lawmakers are seizing on the recent federal immigration agent killing in Minneapolis to push for a bill that would restrict state and local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposed legislation, known as the New York for All Act, would block state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws and sharing sensitive information with ICE unless there is a judicial warrant. It also ensures that people in custody are informed of their legal rights before being interviewed by immigration agents.
The push comes after a year of heightened Trump administration deportations, which have sparked nationwide protests and demonstrations. New York City already has some of the country's strongest sanctuary laws, but advocates say more needs to be done to protect the rights of immigrants living in the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul is seen as a key player in this effort. While she has walked a fine line on immigration issues, recent events have caused her to publicly denounce ICE's conduct and propose policy changes that would allow New Yorkers to seek recourse if they are injured or their property is damaged by ICE.
Lawmakers say the bill has gained new momentum amid shifting public opinion. A Siena Research poll found that 65% of respondents believe deploying federal immigration officials to round up illegal immigrants had gone too far, while only 54% support Trump's deportation efforts. Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are also pushing for additional bills, including guarantees of legal counsel for immigrants facing deportation.
The fate of the bill remains uncertain, with Speaker Carl Heastie saying that he hasn't discussed it with his conference yet but would in the near future. Republicans have strongly opposed any effort to limit local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE, and Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo has proposed a bill to overrule certain sanctuary policies.
Supporters of the New York for All Act are confident they can get Governor Hochul on board, saying that this is not a time to nitpick but to take bold action to protect immigrant communities.
The push comes after a year of heightened Trump administration deportations, which have sparked nationwide protests and demonstrations. New York City already has some of the country's strongest sanctuary laws, but advocates say more needs to be done to protect the rights of immigrants living in the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul is seen as a key player in this effort. While she has walked a fine line on immigration issues, recent events have caused her to publicly denounce ICE's conduct and propose policy changes that would allow New Yorkers to seek recourse if they are injured or their property is damaged by ICE.
Lawmakers say the bill has gained new momentum amid shifting public opinion. A Siena Research poll found that 65% of respondents believe deploying federal immigration officials to round up illegal immigrants had gone too far, while only 54% support Trump's deportation efforts. Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are also pushing for additional bills, including guarantees of legal counsel for immigrants facing deportation.
The fate of the bill remains uncertain, with Speaker Carl Heastie saying that he hasn't discussed it with his conference yet but would in the near future. Republicans have strongly opposed any effort to limit local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE, and Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo has proposed a bill to overrule certain sanctuary policies.
Supporters of the New York for All Act are confident they can get Governor Hochul on board, saying that this is not a time to nitpick but to take bold action to protect immigrant communities.