ALBANY, N.Y. — New York legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul are nearing an agreement on a package of bills intended to limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Lawmakers said Friday they expect to introduce compromise language as early as next week. The negotiations follow months of discussion over the “New York for All Act,” which sought to ban both formal and informal collaboration between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a judicial warrant.
While Hochul originally proposed a plan to sunset certain restrictions by 2029, legislative sponsors said the final deal is expected to be permanent.
“It seems like we are making progress — things are moving,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, a lead sponsor of the legislation. “By next week we should be conferencing some language.”
A primary sticking point in negotiations has been the scope of the restrictions. Hochul has sought to ensure local authorities can still coordinate with federal agents in cases involving undocumented individuals accused of violent crimes. Supporters of the bill maintain that federal agents would still be able to perform their duties and execute judicial warrants for serious offenses.
The anticipated package is expected to include several related measures:
- A ban on local law enforcement entering into “287(g)” formal agreements with ICE.
- The “MELT Act,” which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks while on duty in the state.
- New protections barring immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas” such as schools and houses of worship.
- A provision allowing New Yorkers to sue federal officers for certain constitutional rights violations.
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, another lead sponsor, said the legislation would not prevent ICE from obtaining judicial warrants for arrests or deportations. He noted that the costs of implementing the law, which may include additional staff for the state Attorney General’s office, would be minimal.
The deal comes amid a $263 billion budget negotiation, though leaders intend to pass the immigration package as standalone legislation.
Republicans have criticized the proposals, arguing they could impact public safety. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, has defended his county’s existing cooperation with federal authorities as a fixture of his campaign.
The Governor’s office said in a statement that Hochul remains committed to “protecting the constitutional rights of every New Yorker” while keeping communities safe and avoiding “federal overreach.”
