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Hochul, James Sue Rensselaer Sheriff Over 287(g) Ban

8/29/2026

34 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James sued Rensselaer County Sheriff’s office for breaching the 287(g) ban.
The Local Cops Act took effect Aug. 25 after the Justice Department lawsuit to block the ban was denied on Aug. 3.
Rensselaer County is the only of twelve agencies still refusing to end its 287(g) pact.
Fifteen New York sheriffs sued the state, saying the 287(g) ban harms public-safety efforts.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, creating the 287(g) program that lets state and local police work with ICE on immigration matters. By November 2021, 142 agencies had such agreements, sparking criticism over profiling. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James now sue the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, reviving the decades-old federal-local enforcement dispute.

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Story summary

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James sued Rensselaer County Sheriff’s office for breaching the 287(g) ban.
The Local Cops Act took effect Aug. 25 after the Justice Department lawsuit to block the ban was denied on Aug. 3.
Rensselaer County is the only of twelve agencies still refusing to end its 287(g) pact.
Fifteen New York sheriffs sued the state, saying the 287(g) ban harms public-safety efforts.

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