New York Orders Jails to End ICE Civil Detainee Deals by Nov 25
New York Orders Local Jails to End ICE Civil Detention Deals by November 25
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James notified county executives and sheriffs across New York of their legal obligations on November 6, requiring prohibited federal civil immigration detention agreements to end by November 25, 2026.
The announcement by [New York Governor Kathy Hochul](https://www.governor and Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that the Attorney General’s Office of Immigrant Trust had sent guidance to county executives and sheriffs explaining their responsibilities under the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
Signed into law on May 27, 2026, the legislation prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into, modifying, renewing, extending or remaining in prohibited detention agreements involving federal civil immigration violations.
November 25 Deadline and Contract Restrictions
The law requires agencies with prohibited agreements to invoke their termination provisions by November 25. After that date, those agreements become void and unenforceable under state law.
The restrictions cover contracts, intergovernmental service agreements and other formal or informal arrangements allowing local correctional facilities to house individuals on behalf of federal immigration authorities.
Agencies holding agreements that cover both criminal and civil immigration detention must terminate the provisions permitting detention for federal civil immigration violations.
The legislation does not prohibit local agencies from contracting for detention space for individuals facing pending federal criminal charges, provided those agreements exclude detention solely for civil immigration violations.
It also preserves compliance with state or federal court orders and judicial warrants.
Hochul and James Explain Enforcement
“Local officials should not be doing the work of federal immigration authorities,” James said. “New York passed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act because taxpayer resources should be dedicated solely to keeping our communities safe.”
Hochul said allowing federal immigration authorities to use local jails for civil immigration detention does not make New York safer. She emphasized that local law enforcement should concentrate on protecting residents and addressing crime.
The November deadline follows an earlier requirement to terminate federal immigration enforcement agreements under Section 287(g) by August 25, 2026, part of the state’s broader restrictions on local involvement in civil immigration enforcement.
Compliance Reporting and Civil Enforcement
County executives and sheriffs must inform the Office of Immigrant Trust (OIT) about steps taken to comply or confirm that their agencies hold no prohibited agreements.
The office can receive complaints, conduct investigations, issue subpoenas and pursue civil actions against violations of state law. These enforcement powers concern civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecutions.
Residents who believe state or local agencies, employees, contractors, schools or other covered entities have violated immigration enforcement restrictions can submit complaints through the Attorney General’s [immigrants’ rights](https://ag reporting resources.
The state maintains a separate federal action reporting mechanism for people witnessing federal immigration enforcement activity in New York.