Overview
- The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act took effect on Aug. 25, 2026, and the state says about 11 of the roughly 13 counties with formal 287(g) agreements have wound them down while Nassau and Rensselaer remain unconfirmed and were served subpoenas.
- Fifteen county sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit this week arguing the law is unconstitutional because it strips independently elected sheriffs of authority to enter into federally authorized cooperation pacts.
- The U.S. Department of Justice has already sued New York over the statute, and a federal judge recently declined to block the ban on 287(g) agreements while striking down a separate state rule that would have barred ICE agents from wearing masks.
- Attorney General Letitia James has opened civil investigative subpoenas to recalcitrant counties and says her office will pursue civil enforcement if agencies fail to terminate agreements or provide satisfactory responses.
- The clash maps onto the 2026 governor’s race, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman defending his county’s broad ICE partnership and Gov. Kathy Hochul framing the law as protecting immigrants and keeping local police focused on local crime, leaving implementation dependent on courts and state enforcement.