The new Local Cops, Local Crimes Act would eliminate all of New York’s 287(g) agreements, which allow federal law enforcement officials to deputize local officers, use local officers for immigration enforcement, and use local facilities and resources for immigration enforcement purposesHochul argued, during a Friday press conference, “our law enforcement has enough on their hands.”

“Don’t buy the argument we have to be there because ICE needs the help,” Hochul said. “They do their job, although I don’t like the way they’re doing their job, but don’t expect our local law enforcement to team up with them because we have other responsibilities for our local law enforcement.”

DEMOCRATS MOVE TO STOP ICE FROM WORKING WITH LOCAL POLICE NATIONWIDE

Local departments across the U.S. have to opt in to 287(g) agreements with federal law enforcement, they are not automatic. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, local departments can get specific reimbursements for participating. ICE currently has over 1,372 agreements with departments across 40 U.S. states. New York has about 14 agreements that departments have opted into across the state.

The New York Governor pointed to ICE’s now $85 million budget, granted by the OBBBA, and said “they should not need local police to do their jobs.”

Hochul said her administration is still committed to enforcing immigration laws and deporting illegal immigrants but said the bill comes in response to what she called “a moment of tyranny” and “a rogue federal agency” being “unleashed on the American streets for the sole purpose of creating chaos, carnage, and fear.”

“We will always cooperate with federal government to bring violent criminals to justice full stop,” Hochul said. “It’s not a change in policy, however, it does not mean that New York State will stand for flagrant abuse of power under the guise of public safety.”

The Department of Homeland Security has condemned blue-state officials who have worked to roll back ICE initiatives and enforcement mechanisms.

“Our partnerships with state and local law enforcement are key to removing criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from American communities,” a DHS Spokesperson previously told the Washington Examiner. “When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with us, that is when we have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities.”

SHERRILL TO CREATE STATEWIDE ICE VIDEO REPORTING DATABASE

“Seven of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE,” the DHS Spokesperson said.

DHS did not respond to the Washington Examiner‘s request for comment on Hochul’s introduced law.