Long Island Voters Opposed State ICE Law
A new poll reveals a majority of Long Island voters oppose the state law limiting local cooperation with ICE.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Immigration
Live Poll
Do you support local law enforcement working with federal immigration officials?
A Newsday/Siena University poll found that 51% of Long Island residents oppose the state law banning local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. While 75% of Democrats support the mandate, the legislation faces significant backlash from 74% of Republicans and 57% of independents.
Why it matters
The law aims to focus local police resources on community crime and restricts immigration officials from accessing sensitive sites without a warrant. Its implementation has sparked a divide between state-level policy and local law enforcement operations in places like Nassau County.
The poll of 411 likely voters carries a margin of error of 5.7 percentage points. Currently, 15 upstate sheriffs have initiated a federal lawsuit to overturn the state policy.
The players
Nassau County
This local government previously managed ICE agreements and intends to join a federal lawsuit challenging the state law.
Newsday/Siena University
This partnership conducts public opinion polling focused on political and social trends within the New York region.
The details
The state law prohibits local employees from questioning individuals for immigration purposes unless they possess a federal judicial warrant. Nassau County, which previously deputized 10 officers to assist ICE and rented jail space to the agency, now intends to join the pending federal lawsuit against the law.
Timeline
August 2026: Nassau County ended its 287(g) agreements with ICE.
September 11-17, 2026: The Newsday/Siena poll of likely voters was conducted.
November 2026: The New York gubernatorial election is scheduled to occur.
Political Context
Opponents of the law argue that restricting local cooperation hinders public safety and impedes the ability of sheriffs to fulfill their duties. They contend that the policy overreaches by stripping local agencies of their discretion to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
The potential overturning of the state law could lead to the reinstatement of local cooperation agreements that previously allowed county police to assist with federal detention. This would shift the current operational mandate that prevents local staff from questioning individuals on immigration status without a warrant.
The takeaway
Voter sentiment on the state law remains polarized along party lines across Long Island. The ongoing legal challenge from upstate sheriffs suggests that the implementation of this mandate will continue to face institutional and political scrutiny.
Further reading
For broader context on local debates regarding federal enforcement, visit the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsday.
Live Poll
Do you support local law enforcement working with federal immigration officials?
