New York state’s ban on agreements that allow local police to carry out federal immigration enforcement took effect on Aug. 25, and 15 county sheriffs have sued the state to overturn it.
The ban is part of the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed on May 27 as part of a package of immigration measures.
It bars local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into or remaining in agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which deputize local officers to perform federal civil immigration functions. Hochul proposed the measures in January.
Under Section 287(g), local law enforcement officers can be authorized to question, arrest, and detain people suspected of civil immigration violations. …