NY AG Subpoenas Counties Over ICE Deals; ICE Detentions Hit Record
You live in New York and rely on your county sheriff's office not sharing your information with ICE — but that protection may not be as solid as you thought. New York's ban on local police partnerships with ICE took effect August 26, 2026, yet several counties refused to comply, forcing Attorney General Letitia James to issue subpoenas. At the same time, ICE set a new monthly detention record nationwide, detaining more than 45,000 people in July alone.
You live in New York and count on your local sheriff staying out of immigration enforcement. As of August 26, 2026, that is the law — but not every county followed it. New York Attorney General Letitia James subpoenaed Nassau County Police, Nassau County Sheriff's Office, and the sheriffs of Broome, Steuben, and Rensselaer counties. All of them missed the deadline to end their 287(g) agreements — contracts that allow local law enforcement to act as ICE agents. Fifteen county sheriffs also filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, called the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
What Is a 287(g) Agreement and Why Does It Matter?
A 287(g) agreement (named after a section of federal immigration law) lets local police and sheriffs perform immigration enforcement duties normally reserved for ICE. New York passed a law banning these agreements, and the ban took effect August 26, 2026. Research cited by the New Jersey Monitor found that sanctuary policies — which limit local cooperation with ICE — have already reduced the number of immigration arrests out of local jails. A separate investigation by New York Focus revealed that a little-known federal program called Operation Stonegarden pays New York sheriffs to assist Border Patrol agents with arrests. Governor Kathy Hochul supports that program.
Immigration Policy Checklist — Free
DACA, TPS, Executive Orders: what to monitor
Record ICE Detentions and a New Threat for Asylum Seekers
The pressure on immigrants is not limited to New York. ICE detained more than 45,000 people in July 2026, the highest monthly total since President Trump returned to office, according to The Marshall Project. The Trump administration also announced it is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of approximately 200,000 people who have sought or are currently seeking asylum in the US. That move, reported by the AP and NPR, could strip legal status from a large group of people mid-process.
Across the country, several cities and states — including Georgia, two towns in Massachusetts, Columbus, Ohio, and Santa Barbara, California — are reconsidering or ending their use of Flock cameras, which are automated license plate readers often used in immigration enforcement. Separately, newly released DHS records obtained by The Guardian show that federal officers infiltrated Signal chat groups used by activists who were organizing against ICE operations in Minnesota.
In federal court, a judge ordered the release from detention of a witness to the ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, according to the Texas Tribune. In a separate case, a judge ordered the immediate return to the US of a witness who had testified against Mexican drug cartels three times and was recently deported, citing risk of torture.
What to do
- If you live in Nassau, Broome, Steuben, or Rensselaer counties in New York, check whether your county has ended its 287(g) agreement — the AG's subpoena means compliance is not yet confirmed there.
- If you are an asylum seeker who entered the US on a B-1 or B-2 visa, speak with an immigration lawyer now about the administration's plan to revoke those visas for people with pending asylum cases.
- Know your ICE arrest rights: you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents without legal advice.
- Follow official updates from the New York Attorney General's office and USCIS for changes to enforcement policies in your area.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
New York's Local Cops, Local Crimes Act creates a real legal firewall between local sheriffs and ICE — but only where it is actually enforced. If your county was subpoenaed, that firewall has a gap right now. Asylum seekers whose B-1/B-2 tourist or business visas are being targeted for revocation should document every step of their pending case and consult an attorney before any visa status changes. An attorney can help you assess whether a change of status or other protective filing is available before a revocation takes effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 287(g) agreement and is my county still using one?
A 287(g) agreement lets local police or sheriffs perform ICE-style immigration enforcement. New York banned these agreements, and the ban took effect August 26, 2026. However, Nassau, Broome, Steuben, and Rensselaer counties had not ended their agreements by the deadline. The state AG has subpoenaed them. Check your county's official website or contact a local immigration organization for the latest status.
Can the government really revoke my visa because I applied for asylum?
The Trump administration announced it is preparing to revoke business and tourist visas (B-1/B-2) for approximately 200,000 people who have applied or are applying for asylum. This has not yet happened, but if you are in this situation, talk to an immigration lawyer immediately about your options before any action is taken on your visa.
What should I do if ICE tries to arrest me?
You have the right to remain silent. Do not answer questions about your immigration status without a lawyer present. Do not sign any documents. Ask clearly: 'Am I free to go?' If ICE has a warrant, ask to see it. Contact an immigration attorney or a local legal aid organization as soon as possible.
Does living in a sanctuary city protect me from ICE?
Sanctuary policies limit how much local police cooperate with ICE, and research shows they do reduce immigration arrests from local jails. But they do not stop ICE from operating independently in your area. ICE can still arrest people in public spaces. Sanctuary status reduces — but does not eliminate — risk.