Judge Denies Sheriffs' Bid to Block NY Immigration Ban
A federal judge in Albany declined to halt New York's limits on cooperation with federal immigration agents while a lawsuit by more than 15 county sheriffs proceeds.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Immigration
Live Poll
Should local police be barred from helping federal immigration agents make arrests?
U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino rejected a preliminary injunction request from a coalition of more than 15 New York county sheriffs. The sheriffs challenged a state ban on law officers working with federal immigration agents on civil arrests, which remains enforceable.
Why it matters
The ruling leaves in place New York's limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, affecting how county law enforcement operates across the state. The lawsuit argues both measures violate the federal and state constitutions, a question the court has not yet resolved.
The coalition of more than 15 county sheriffs sought a preliminary injunction, which was denied, so the ban on civil-arrest cooperation with federal immigration agents stays in effect. The underlying constitutional challenge has not been adjudicated and remains pending.
The players
Mae A. D'Agostino
A U.S. District Judge sitting in Albany who denied the sheriffs' request to block the New York measures while the case proceeds.
Letitia James
New York's Attorney General, who holds the authority under the new law to investigate sheriffs who cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Kathy Hochul
New York's governor, who signed the ban on civil-arrest cooperation and the investigation law into law in May.
The details
The sheriffs contend that the ban on working with federal immigration agents for civil arrests and a law giving Attorney General Letitia James authority to investigate sheriffs who cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violate both the federal and state constitutions. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed both measures into law in May as part of a sweeping budget package.
Timeline
May 2026: Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the ban and investigation law as part of the state budget package.
November 4, 2026: Judge Mae A. D'Agostino denies the sheriffs' preliminary injunction request in Albany.
Legal Context
The ruling keeps in force a state-level restriction on civil immigration cooperation enacted through the 2026 New York budget package, with its constitutionality now contested by county sheriffs. The case will test whether state limits on federal immigration enforcement can be sustained against constitutional challenges from local law enforcement.
Sheriffs and local law enforcement agencies across New York must continue operating under the ban on civil-arrest cooperation with federal immigration agents. Residents should expect enforcement practices to remain governed by state limits while the constitutional challenge proceeds.
The takeaway
The ruling means New York's immigration-cooperation limits are in effect now, even as their legality is unresolved. Readers following local law enforcement policy should watch how the litigation shapes county sheriff operations.
Further reading
For more background, see the Immigration section covering enforcement policy and court challenges.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bloomberglaw.
Live Poll
Should local police be barred from helping federal immigration agents make arrests?
