Key facts
- New York's Republican gubernatorial candidate plans to continue cooperation agreements with ICE.
- These agreements, known as 287(g), allow local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officials.
- Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced his county will join a lawsuit against the termination of these agreements.
- Governor Kathy Hochul stated that 287(g) agreements are not needed and impede progress.
New York's Republican gubernatorial candidate, Bruce Blakeman, intends to continue cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), known as 287(g) agreements, despite a new state law ending such partnerships. Blakeman stated that adhering to the law, which he believes makes New York "less safe," is "one of the saddest days of my life as county executive." Nassau County was one of two GOP-led counties not signaling plans to comply. Upstate Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin also announced his county's refusal to comply, insisting the ban will damage public safety and signaling participation in a lawsuit against the termination.