Earlier today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss new state legislation aimed at limiting cooperation between local police departments and federal immigration authorities. The proposed bill would prohibit police agencies in New York from formally working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Governor Hochul explained that while New York City is already a sanctuary city, some counties in the state have expanded their local police forces to function as ICE agents. She stated, “Well, New York City is a sanctuary city, but statewide, we have had counties and sheriff’s departments and other policing organizations, even as close as Nassau County on Long Island, that have bulked up their local police department to become basically deputized ICE agents. So it is happening in other parts of our state, where they’re using local resources that are taking away from local policing. And that’s the genesis of this, which is saying, you know, let ICE do their job. We don’t agree with how they’re doing it, I think they’re a rogue agency out of control. But separate from that, our local police should be focused on solving local crimes or preventing crimes, and not have them weaponize police officers against their own communities.”
Although fewer than ten out of 62 counties in New York currently cooperate with ICE to any extent, Hochul argued for a statewide approach: “Because it shouldn’t be going on anywhere. We have counties like – as I mentioned, Nassau County’s a very large county right next to New York City and has a large immigrant population. And literally in my office, you know, a short time ago, I hosted people who’ve been affected by this. And one was a sixth-grade boy sobbing in my arms because his father was taken away from him by the local police officers – not ICE, but local police turned him over to ICE… This child is traumatized.”
When asked why she does not support the more expansive “New York for All” bill favored by many immigration advocates—which would provide additional protections—Hochul said: “Well, I sat with representatives from the coalitions this morning who gave me a lot of praise for what I did on Friday and recommending this bill… The New York for All Act wasn’t passed by our legislature last year… there’s absolutely elements of that that I believe we can find common ground with and get over the finish line.”
Responding to concerns raised by federal officials that restricting cooperation could require more visible federal presence on streets or increase federal enforcement activity locally, Hochul commented: “Well, why don’t they take off their masks, and we’ll really know who they are? I mean, they surround people’s vehicles wearing masks… They need to be under control.”
She also challenged claims that less cooperation would lead to increased deployments of ICE agents: “I’m not buying that argument. No… Remember the phrase [from election campaigns], we’re going after the baddest of the bad… I’m not seeing that when I’m talking to a sixth-grader whose dad was walking down the street in front of a Home Depot… So they’re not telling the truth.”
The legislation must still go through introduction and discussion within the State Legislature before any final decision is made. Governor Hochul concluded: “It’s – it’ll be introduced. The legislative leaders and I will be meeting on this… But we stand together in this… This is a moment in history where we’ll be judged by whether we stood up or we cowered to power… sit in a room with me when I’ve got children crying in my arms… What has happened to our country, and how do we take it back?”
