Local Cops, Local Crimes Act

Hochul program bill banning state and local governments, police and corrections from entering or maintaining 287(g) agreements or similar arrangements that use local personnel or facilities for federal civil immigration enforcement. Enacted in May 2026 as part of the FY2026-27 budget's package of immigration protections, which also barred face coverings for officers interacting with the public, created a state cause of action for constitutional violations, restricted immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, and codified the right to a free public education regardless of immigration status. The 287(g) ban took effect Aug. 25, 2026. In July 2026 AG Letitia James notified the 12 New York law enforcement agencies holding 287(g) agreements that they had to unwind them by that date. In June 2026 the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block parts of the package; a federal court denied DOJ's preliminary injunction as to the 287(g) provision, allowing it to take effect. Fifteen county sheriffs filed their own challenge on Aug. 25 (Bourgault v. Hochul, No. 1:26-cv-01637, N.D.N.Y.). Bill number recorded here is the Governor's Program Bill number from the January 2026 program-bill memo; the chapter number and exact May signing date within the budget package are not yet verified against a primary source.