Conservative Local Officials Defy State Restrictions on ICE Cooperation

Conservative local officials across several Democratic-led states are resisting efforts by state governments to terminate cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed legislation to end 287(g) agreements, leading Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin to vow that he will ignore the restrictions to protect his residents. Similarly, Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins in Maryland threatened a lawsuit if Governor Wes Moore signs legislation shutting down cooperative agreements between sheriffs and ICE.

In Colorado, Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams reported using public detainee reports as a workaround to help ICE identify persons of interest despite state-level restrictions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the federal administration will provide legal support to county officials who challenge state bans to remove violent illegal criminal aliens.

Meanwhile, the Allegheny County Council in Pennsylvania is considering legislation to prohibit county employees from disclosing immigration status or contracting with federal agencies for immigration enforcement databases. While Council-at-large Bethany Hallam and County Executive Sara Innamorato support the measure, Pittsburgh GOP Chair Todd McCollum criticized the effort, characterizing the proposal as anti-whistleblower legislation and arguing that immigration remains a federal public safety matter.