“In backroom negotiations over immigration legislation, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a measure that would ban local law enforcement from sharing information with federal immigration agents in civil cases, two legislators and three advocates who were briefed on the discussions told New York Focus — but would leave cops broad discretion to coordinate with immigration authorities when they suspect criminal activity.
“’What this means in practice is that anything a police officer does in connection with or in response to a crime — and that could be a misdemeanor — would allow them to actively and affirmatively notify ICE or CBP about the person,’ said Yasmine Farhang, executive director of the Immigrant Defense Project. ‘As long as they can say that they are initiating an investigation of any crime, they can notify ICE and CBP.’”
Governor Kathy Hochul speaks about immigration legislation at a roundtable with law enforcement leaders on February 9, 2026. [Photo: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.]
