Hochul Moves to Extend Sanctuary Protections Statewide After ICE Shootings in Minnesota

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to extend and codify sanctuary-style protections statewide, citing public safety concerns and civil liberties in the wake of two controversial shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minnesota that have sparked national outrage.

Governor Hochul Introduces the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to limit state cooperation with ICE

The move follows deadly ICE encounters in Minneapolis that have intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics and renewed debate over the role of state and local governments in cooperating with federal authorities. Civil rights advocates and immigrant organizations have called for stronger limits on ICE operations, arguing that aggressive enforcement undermines community trust and endangers civilians.

Hochul said the proposed measures would ensure that New York’s state and local resources are not used to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement, while reinforcing constitutional safeguards for residents.

“New York will not be complicit in policies that put innocent people at risk or erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Hochul said during a briefing. “Public safety depends on people feeling safe enough to report crimes and seek help without fear.”

Under Hochul’s proposal, New York would formally extend protections that already exist in many municipalities, limiting cooperation with ICE except where required by law. The plan would bar state and local law enforcement agencies from participating in federal immigration enforcement programs, restrict access to state facilities for civil immigration operations, and require judicial warrants for certain enforcement actions.

Supporters say the effort would move New York from a patchwork of local policies to a uniform statewide standard, providing clarity to law enforcement agencies and reassurance to immigrant communities.

In Rochester, Mayor Malik Evans praised Hochul’s action, noting that the city has operated as a sanctuary jurisdiction for decades.

“As a Sanctuary City, Rochester has prohibited the use of city resources to enforce federal civil immigration statutes for nearly four decades,” Evans said in a statement. “These assurances help us build trust and improve public safety by allowing members of our immigrant community to report crimes and access critical services without fear.”

Evans added that he applauds Hochul “for taking action to extend these protections statewide and standing ROC solid for all New Yorkers.”

Rochester is among several New York cities that already limit cooperation with ICE, a policy local officials say has improved relationships between law enforcement and immigrant residents.

Republican lawmakers and conservative groups criticized the governor’s move, arguing that sanctuary policies weaken cooperation between jurisdictions and federal authorities. They contend that limiting ICE access could allow dangerous individuals to evade enforcement, though Hochul and Democratic leaders counter that criminal matters remain fully within the scope of state and local law enforcement.

The debate is expected to intensify as the proposal moves through the Democratic-controlled Legislature, with immigration policy shaping up as a major issue ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

New York’s action comes as other states reconsider their relationships with federal immigration agencies following the Minnesota shootings. Legal challenges and congressional inquiries are underway, and governors across the country are weighing whether to expand or restrict cooperation with ICE.

For Hochul, the move reinforces New York’s long-standing position on immigration enforcement — and signals that recent events have only strengthened her administration’s resolve to keep those protections in place.