Fifteen New York county sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit demanding the right to continue working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, directly challenging a new state law that forces local agencies to sever partnerships with federal immigration authorities.

Constitutional Challenge Takes Shape

The sheriffs argue they possess independent authority to cooperate with federal agents because voters elected them directly, not state officials. Their lawsuit contends that Albany cannot force counties to abandon legally established agreements with ICE. Sheriff’s offices from Broome, Steuben, Nassau, and Rensselaer counties joined the legal challenge, seeking immediate injunctive relief to block enforcement of the legislation.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to agencies that failed to confirm plans to terminate their ICE agreements or provided unsatisfactory responses. The subpoenas targeted sheriff’s offices and police departments, including Nassau County’s law enforcement apparatus. James warned that agencies refusing to comply with subpoenas would face civil litigation from her office.

Nassau County Complies Under Protest

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, currently running for governor and a vocal supporter of President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, waited until the Tuesday deadline to terminate required agreements. Blakeman called the legislation dangerous and said it was “written in the blood of the victims past, present and future.” Despite his sharp criticism, he pledged to follow the law’s technical requirements while continuing to work with ICE wherever legally permissible.

Nassau police will no longer assist federal immigration agents, and ICE can no longer rent space at the county jail. Blakeman claimed the previous cooperation allowed the county to deliver dangerous criminals directly to ICE without releasing them back into communities. He argued this approach prevented raids on churches, schools, daycare centers, and hospitals.

State Officials Fire Back

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General James released a joint statement dismissing the lawsuit as a waste of taxpayer dollars. They noted that twelve entities with ICE agreements have already complied without incident, and the vast majority of New York’s law enforcement agencies successfully protect their communities without collaborating with immigration authorities. The statement suggested the sheriffs’ claims reveal more about their capabilities than about the law’s requirements. The legislation does not prevent police from working with ICE on criminal cases, maintaining a pathway for cooperation in specific investigations.