A new state law prohibiting local police agencies from signing cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took effect across New York on Aug. 25.

The legislation, known as the Local Cops Local Crimes Act, prevents local government agencies from entering or maintaining agreements with ICE to carry out civil immigration enforcement or to detain immigrants in local jails.

287(g) agreements allow for local police to assist or function as federal civil immigration enforcement officers, according to NY1. Before 2025, only Rensselaer County held an agreement, while 53 counties statewide had never entered one.

Thirteen counties were involved in agreements in place when Governor Kathy Hochul signed the measure into law in May 2026.

Hochul has said police will assist ICE “only if a real crime has been committed,” not on civil immigration matters.

Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox backed the law, saying trust between officers and residents affects public safety.

“When that trust is broken, when residents fear calling the police, when victims stay silent, when witnesses refuse to come forward, we all become less safe,” Cox said.

Nassau County was one of only two of the state’s 62 counties that had not complied with the new law.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to the sheriff’s offices of Broome, Steuben, Nassau and Rensselaer counties, along with the Nassau County Police Department. However, the Broome County Sheriff’s office said it was already in compliance.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running for governor against Hochul, has defended the county’s cooperation with ICE, saying it helped remove roughly 2,000 immigrants with criminal records.

“Where do you want those illegal immigrants with criminal records to live? You want it back in New York? We say no,” Blakeman said.

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin has also said he will not comply, arguing his county’s program focuses on background checks rather than raids.

“We’ll see you in court, governor,” McLaughlin said.

Fifteen New York sheriffs, including Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta, sued the state to strike down the ban, arguing it nullifies “the ability of independently elected constitutional officers to enter into contracts authorized by federal law.”

James responded by saying, “…the vast majority of New York’s law enforcement agencies were already successfully protecting their communities without any collaboration with ICE.”

A spokesperson told CBS that agencies that fail to comply could face a civil suit.

Clinton County had already exited its ICE arrangement in March for reasons unrelated to the new law, citing reimbursement rates that did not cover its costs.

Orange County, which had been paid roughly twice Clinton’s rate to hold detainees, has since terminated its contract with ICE as well, NY1 reported.

Advocates rallied outside of the Nassau County police headquarters as the deadline arrived. “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here,” they chanted.

A Make the Road New York organizer told ABC7 that implementation is where such policies can fail and vowed continued pressure on local officials to comply.