Who are these Democrats putting first? Americans or illegals?
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing mounting backlash after unveiling a controversial immigration proposal that critics say would make it harder for federal authorities to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from communities across the state.
The proposal, included in Hochul’s 2027 budget request, would sharply limit cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), escalating tensions between Democrat-led states and President Donald Trump’s administration over immigration enforcement and border security.
The legislation, called the “Local Cops Local Crimes Act,” would prevent local police departments and correctional facilities from assisting ICE with civil immigration enforcement operations. Conservatives and public safety advocates warn the move could create additional obstacles for federal agents attempting to detain criminal illegal immigrants before they are released back into neighborhoods.
During a press conference Thursday, Hochul defended the proposal by arguing that local police officers should focus strictly on community-level crime rather than assisting federal immigration officials.
According to the governor, taxpayer-funded officers were hired to respond to emergencies, stop violent crime, investigate theft, and protect local residents — not carry out federal immigration duties.
The proposal would also eliminate and block future participation in the federal 287(g) program, a long-standing partnership that allows trained local officers to help federal authorities identify and process illegal immigrants involved in criminal activity.
Since President Trump returned to office, several Democrat-controlled states have attempted to reduce cooperation with federal immigration agencies. New York now appears poised to become one of the most aggressive states pushing back against Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
But critics say Hochul’s latest move goes even further.
In addition to restricting ICE cooperation, the governor is reportedly pushing several additional measures aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement activities throughout New York. Those proposals include restricting ICE access to schools, libraries, polling places, and homes unless agents obtain judicial warrants.
Another proposal would reportedly create a pathway allowing lawsuits against ICE for alleged constitutional violations.
Conservative legal experts immediately questioned whether many of the proposals could survive court challenges.
Hans von Spakovsky, a legal scholar with Advancing American Freedom, argued that states cannot legally interfere with federal officers carrying out lawful federal responsibilities.
Spakovsky pointed to long-established Supreme Court precedent supporting the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration law without interference from individual states.
Although the legislation still requires local agencies to comply with valid court-issued warrants, opponents argue the broader restrictions would significantly weaken communication and coordination between local police and federal immigration authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly responded with a harsh warning about the potential consequences of Hochul’s plan.
Laurin Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, accused Hochul of prioritizing politics over public safety and warned that limiting cooperation with ICE could place New Yorkers at greater risk.
According to DHS officials, when local jails refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities, dangerous offenders can be released back into communities instead of being transferred into federal custody for removal proceedings.
The department also warned that reduced cooperation may force ICE agents to conduct more visible public operations in neighborhoods and public spaces to locate suspects who otherwise could have been transferred directly from local custody.
Hochul’s office has not responded to multiple questions regarding whether New York would refuse to detain individuals accused of immigration violations. The governor’s office also declined to explain why the immigration proposal was included as part of the broader 2027 state budget negotiations.
For supporters of President Trump, the growing battle over immigration enforcement represents a larger national debate about border security, state authority, crime prevention, and whether Democrat-led states are undermining federal immigration law enforcement efforts.
As immigration remains one of the top issues heading into the next election cycle, New York’s latest proposal is likely to intensify an already heated political fight between Republican lawmakers, the Trump administration, and Democratic governors across the country.