Kathy Hochul’s bill banning local police from working with ICE to take effect

Published August 25, 2026 3:56pm ET



A New York law restricting local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to take effect Tuesday, as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D-NY) administration moves to unwind agreements between local agencies and the federal immigration agency.

Hochul signed the legislation, dubbed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, into law in May. The law prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into or maintaining agreements with ICE under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows federal immigration authorities to delegate certain enforcement powers to state and local officers.

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