15 New York County Sheriffs Sue to Stop Gov. Hochul’s New Sanctuary Provisions
26th August 2026
Fifteen New York country sheriffs filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the state’s “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act” and the newly created Office of Immigrant Trust for being unconstitutional efforts to prevent them from working with federal immigration officers to ensure public safety.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of the 15 sheriffs who have existing 287(g) agreements to cooperate with federal agencies that enforce the nation’s immigration laws.
They also filed an emergency motion seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop New York from voiding existing 287(g) agreements on August 25, 2026, and from forcing the termination of federal housing agreements by November 25, 2026.
The new “Local Cops, Local Laws Act,” which was promoted and signed by Democrat New York Governor Kathy Hochul, prohibits local law enforcement agencies and local correctional facilities from entering into, remaining in, or extending 287(g) agreements or contracts to house individuals for civil immigration violations, the lawsuit explains.