Hochul’s challenger promises to comply with New York’s new ICE law but joins sheriffs’ lawsuit challenging it

Published August 27, 2026 10:45am ET



Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running against Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) in November, indicated he would reluctantly comply with New York’s new anti-ICE law. But in doing so, he intends to join a federal lawsuit challenging the measure.

The law in question bans local police from entering into or continuing their cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Nassau was one of nine New York counties that had the agreements, which allowed state law enforcement agencies to detain illegal immigrants and conduct other immigration enforcement activities in coordination with the federal government.

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