In New York, a handful of Democrats in the state legislature have, for years, been trying to pass legislation that would prevent local police from assisting ICE with immigration enforcement. Those lawmakers fear that it prevents noncitizens from interacting with the police when they themselves need help or could assist in reporting crimes or carrying out investigations. Their efforts haven’t gained significant traction so far, but Donald Trump’s impending presidency — and his threats of mass deportation — have created a new urgency, the Intercept reports. “Now more than ever, it is incredibly important that we build whatever walls we can to separate the plans of the Trump administration to conduct mass deportations of immigrants and the power of state and local governments,” said state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who plans to reintroduce the New York for All Act when the legislative session restarts in January.
The sweeping measure would ban New York’s law enforcement from sharing sensitive information and personnel with ICE without a judicial warrant. New York banned state agencies from inquiring about a person’s immigration status in 2017 and from making immigration arrests at courthouses statewide in 2020. But there is still no measure that addresses local law enforcement’s collaboration with ICE more broadly. That means a patchwork of regulations exist across the state. Gounardes noted that the New York for All Act is based on what is largely existing practice in New York City, Westchester County, and among New York’s state police. Gounardes also pointed to Los Angeles City Council passing a sanctuary ordinance last week. “We’re seeing other jurisdictions stepping up at this moment,” he said, “and New York should not be afraid to do the same.”
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