Governor Hochul and Attorney General James Sue the Trump Administration To Protect New Laws Establishing Critical Accountability Measures in New York
Lawsuit Seeks To Ensure Local, State and Federal Officers Comply with New State Laws, Including Requirement that Officers Remain Identifiable During Public Operations
Law Enforcement Officers, Immigration Advocates and Community Leaders Join Governor Hochul in Defending New York’s Commonsense Laws To Increase Transparency and Ensure Local Resources are Being Used for Local Crimes
Governor Kathy Hochul today held a press conference with Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of law enforcement, immigration and community leaders to highlight a recent lawsuit against the Trump Administration aimed at protecting a new package of state laws that establish critical accountability measures related to immigration and law enforcement operations in New York.
The lawsuit comes at the same time as the Trump Administration’s latest attack on the legislation that prohibits local, state and federal law enforcement officers from concealing their identities with masks while interacting with the public and ensures that local law enforcement can remain focused on community safety priorities.
The complaint, filed by the Attorney General at the Governor’s request, asks the court to affirm the legality of these laws and prevent the Trump Administration from interfering with New York’s authority to protect public safety, promote transparency and govern the use of state and local resources.
“In New York, we believe in public safety, accountability and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,”Governor Hochul said.“These commonsense policies ensure that law enforcement operating in New York carry out their duties openly and transparently without intimidation or concealed identities.
New York stands firmly behind these laws — and we will defend them every step of the way.”
Masked federal immigration officers have flooded communities across the country as part of the federal government's mass deportation agenda.
These officers have often failed to clearly identify themselves to the public while carrying out enforcement operations, sowing fear, undermining public trust and increasing the risk that bad actors could impersonate law enforcement officers.
Across the country, the use of masked and unidentified agents has made it harder for residents to know who is acting under color of law, report misconduct and seek accountability when officers abuse their authority.
New York enacted a comprehensive immigration protection package to address this growing threat and protect the rights of New Yorkers during federal immigration enforcement operations.
One of the laws, set to take effect this Friday, prohibits local, state and federal law enforcement officers from concealing their identity with masks while interacting with the public and requires all officers to display clear identification.
The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, another measure in the package, prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into 287 agreements or similar arrangements that use local resources to detain people for federal immigration violations.
This provision ensures that New York’s local law enforcement resources are directed toward local public safety priorities, rather than the federal government’s mass deportation agenda.
On June 22, 2026, the Trump Administration sued New York State to prevent these laws from taking effect.
New York has a sovereign right under the Tenth Amendment to enact laws that protect public safety, promote transparency and regulate conduct within its borders.
Governor Hochul and Attorney General James assert that the new laws establish basic public safety and transparency requirements for law enforcement officers operating in New York and protect the state’s authority to decide how state and local resources are used.
“In New York, we believe in public safety, accountability and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve”
Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are asking the court to declare that the Trump Administration’s efforts to prevent enforcement of the state's new immigration protections violate the Tenth Amendment.
They are also asking the court to block the administration from taking any action to prevent enforcement of the laws.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “New York has the sovereign right to pass laws that protect public safety and transparency for all New Yorkers.
Law enforcement officers operating in our communities should be clearly identifiable, and local resources should be used to address local public safety needs. My office will defend these commonsense protections and New York’s authority to enforce them.”
New York Immigration Coalition President and CEO Murad Awawdeh said, “There is no New York without immigrant communities, and New York State took decisive steps to protect our communities from ICE terror and to defend our collective rights.
The new State laws are particularly vital at a time when the Trump Administration is using violent and unlawful tactics in New York and across the country to create fear in our communities.
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees New York State’s self-determination, which cannot be undermined by the Trump administration’s bullying tactics or threats.
It is imperative that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York upholds the right of New York State to enact its own laws to govern New Yorkers, and sides with its lawful efforts to protect every single New Yorker who calls our state home.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “As District Attorney, I know that effective public safety depends on strong partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Local law enforcement must remain focused on addressing local public safety concerns and strengthening relationships within their communities, rather than serving as contractors for other agencies.
When residents trust that law enforcement is acting fairly and with transparency, they are more likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations and help keep their neighborhoods safe.
Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James for their focus on maintaining that trust to help us effectuate public safety.”
State Senator Zellnor Myrie said,“With our civil rights under attack and our immigrant neighbors facing unprecedented threats from the Trump Administration, I'm proud that New York is stepping up with some of the strongest protections in the nation.
State and local law enforcement are here to keep our communities safe — not to act as foot soldiers for Trump's agenda.
I'm grateful to our Attorney General and Governor for their defense of these laws and our entire immigration protection package that will keep our state safe, fair and welcoming to all.”
Assemblymember Michaelle Solages said, “New York's legislation exists to protect the rights of New Yorkers and preserve public safety, not to serve the federal government's deportation agenda.
The Trump Administration's effort to nullify our state laws reflects a fundamental disrespect for this state and its people's right to self-governance.
Local law enforcement belongs in our communities, focused on local crime.
Federal agents operating on New York soil must do so transparently and without masks.
These are basic principles of accountability.
I commend Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for standing firm in defense of New York's sovereignty and values.
We will not cede that ground.”
Assemblymember Tony Simone said,“I applaud Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for standing up to the Trump Administration’s attempt to undermine New York’s authority to protect its residents.
No one is above transparency, and no law enforcement officer, local, state, or federal, should be permitted to operate in the shadows while carrying out public duties.
This law was written to stand up to constitutional muster, and this case will set the new precedent across the nation.”
Long Island Hispanic Bar Association President Maribel Gomez said, “The Long Island Hispanic Bar Association recognizes that law enforcement officers often perform difficult and many times dangerous work.
However, when a person’s liberty and constitutional rights are at stake, such as during a law enforcement interaction, the public has a right to know who is exercising authority over them.
We thank Governor Hochul for standing with New York’s immigrant communities at a time when so many are living with uncertainty and fear as a result of sweeping immigration enforcement.
Her efforts to protect transparency and accountability help ensure that all New Yorkers are treated fairly and with respect.”
Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda said, “For over a year and a half, we have seen the havoc that federal agents have caused on communities across the country — empty classrooms, small businesses permanently closed and parents torn away from their children.
The slew of enacted immigration protections passed through the New York State budget was essential in preventing unconstitutional, harmful federal actions that hurt everyone, regardless of immigration status.
The Hispanic Federation commends Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for continuing to stand up against this egregious federal overreach and working to keep New Yorkers safe.”