Advocates and lawmakers in Albany say there is renewed momentum to pass long-proposed legislation that would restrict state and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The push comes amid nationwide protests following the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Supporters of the New York for All Act argue that the political landscape has shifted as the Trump administration intensifies deportation efforts and as public scrutiny grows over aggressive enforcement tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Advertisement -
Assemblymember Catalina Cruz of Queens said recent events have underscored the urgency of the legislation.
“I think what is different this year is the clarity of the need, the human clarity and the political clarity,” Cruz said. “Turn on the television every day and it is another kidnapping in our community, another family being torn apart.”
The bill, first introduced six years ago, would prohibit state and local police officers from enforcing federal immigration laws or sharing sensitive information with ICE unless presented with a judicial warrant. It would also require that individuals in custody be informed of their legal rights before being questioned by immigration agents.
New York City already enforces some of the strongest sanctuary policies in the country. These measures prevent city jails and police departments from honoring ICE detainer requests.
Although the bill has gained increasing support from Democratic lawmakers, leadership in both the State Assembly and Senate has yet to bring it to a vote. Governor Kathy Hochul, who is seeking reelection this year, has not formally taken a position on the proposal.
Hochul has maintained a cautious stance on immigration issues. She has continued a 2017 executive order that limits how State Police and other agencies interact with ICE. The order generally bars state employees from asking individuals about their immigration status.
However, the governor has also emphasized that New York cooperates with federal authorities in certain situations. She reiterated that position last year while testifying before a Republican led congressional committee.
Following the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota, Hochul described the incident as a heartbreaking and entirely foreseeable tragedy. Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, she broadly criticized ICE’s conduct.
“I am going to stand up to defend rights, at least what I can do in New York,” Hochul said. She added that she plans to propose a policy in her upcoming State of the State address that would allow people to seek recourse if they are injured or their property is damaged during ICE operations.
Despite the governor’s remarks, advocates insist that stronger legislative action is necessary.
State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris called the situation a crisis during a rally at Federal Plaza in Manhattan.
“This is a break the glass and pull the lever situation,” Gianaris said. “What the federal government is doing is abusing power, breaking the law and doing so in ways that are just horrific.”
Gianaris noted that stepped up immigration enforcement is also occurring in New York. In September, federal agents detained 57 people at a food processing plant in Cayuga County.
Public opinion appears to be shifting as well. A Siena Research poll conducted in December found that 65 percent of New York voters believe federal immigration raids have gone too far. This marks a significant change from a December 2024 poll in which 54 percent of respondents supported Trump’s deportation efforts.
Steven Greenberg, a pollster with the Siena College Research Institute, said New Yorkers’ views have evolved since the presidential election.
Among Democratic voters, 86 percent said they disapproved of Trump’s deportation policies.
In a notable change in tone, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins highlighted the sanctuary proposal in her opening remarks of the new legislative session.
“We will stand firm in defense of voting rights and equal rights,” Stewart Cousins said. “One of our central focuses will be protecting communities that are being targeted and marginalized, including defending our immigrant brothers and sisters by advancing the goals of New York for All.”
Progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups are also pushing for legislation that would guarantee legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. They are seeking to allocate 175 million dollars in state funding for legal services.
Research shows that individuals who have legal counsel are significantly less likely to be deported.
“This is not the time to nitpick about what we should and should not do,” Gianaris said. “We need to do all of it.”
The future of the bill in the State Assembly remains uncertain. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie did not address immigration in his opening speech for the new session. A spokesperson for Heastie said conference discussions on the proposal are expected to take place soon.
Republicans have strongly opposed any effort to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.
Long Island Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo said he believes sanctuary policies undermine public safety. Gandolfo is sponsoring legislation that would override local sanctuary measures by requiring police departments statewide to notify federal authorities when they arrest someone who is in the country without authorization.
Gandolfo said he and his Republican colleagues would oppose any expansion of sanctuary protections.
“I really just do not think that is a good idea,” he said. “Hopefully saner heads prevail.”
Assemblymember Cruz said she remains confident that supporters can persuade the governor to back the package of immigration reforms.
“I think we have the makeup of the bodies and the political will this year to do something different, to do something courageous,” Cruz said. “Because we cannot afford not to.”
