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15 New York Sheriffs Sue Over Local Cops Act

8/28/2026

47 8 Full Breakdown

Center

Sheriffs Challenge Act

Fifteen New York county sheriffs sued in the Northern District of New York on August 26, 2026, challenging the state’s Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
They claim the ban breaches the Contract Clause and 10th Amendment, and Office of Immigrant Trust is suing Rensselaer County to end its 287(g) agreement.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the act in May 2026; it took effect on August 25, 2026.

Right

Sheriffs Challenge Act

Fifteen New York county sheriffs sued in the U.S. District Court, New York, on August 26, 2026, challenging the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
Bruce Blakeman called the law “very, very bad and dangerous” and said Nassau County will comply while joining the sheriffs’ lawsuit.
The sheriffs claim the act endangers public safety by limiting local crime-fighting tools.
Governor Kathy Hochul warned counties that defying the act would invite lawsuits.

Blindspot

Blindspot

The sheriffs contend that the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act’s ban on 287(g) agreements breaches the U.S. Constitution’s Contract Clause and the 10th Amendment, preventing elected officials from honoring federal partnerships.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Arizona’s 2010 SB 1070 immigration law sparked a federal challenge that reached the Supreme Court, which on June 25 2012 issued a 5-3 ruling written by Justice Kennedy striking down three provisions as pre-empted. The decision left only the status-check clause intact. In 2026 New York’s Local Cops, Local Crimes Act bans 287(g) agreements, prompting fifteen sheriffs, including Nassau’s Bruce Blakeman, to sue Governor Kathy Hochul.

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Sheriffs Challenge Act

Fifteen New York county sheriffs sued in the Northern District of New York on August 26, 2026, challenging the state’s Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.
They claim the ban breaches the Contract Clause and 10th Amendment, and Office of Immigrant Trust is suing Rensselaer County to end its 287(g) agreement.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the act in May 2026; it took effect on August 25, 2026.

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