New York For All Act
The New York for All Act (S.03076/A.02328) broadly prohibits state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws, funneling people into ICE custody, and sharing sensitive information with ICE. It prohibits ICE from entering non-public areas of state and local property without a judicial warrant. It also ensures that people in custody are given notice of their rights before being interviewed by ICE, and starts the process of limiting ICE access to state information databases.
Communities that refuse to conspire with ICE are safer.
While ICE tries to portray immigrants as a threat to public safety, it is ICE’s abusive tactics that endanger our collective well-being. Since its founding in 2003, ICE has acted with impunity, using lies, deception, and excessive force to storm their way into our homes and disappear our loved ones and community members.
In fact, data shows that crime is lower in places where officials do not divert time and resources for ICE’s agenda. The Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Presidential Task Force on 21st Century Policing, the New York State Police, and the New York State Attorney General have all adopted positions or policies to keep out of federal immigration enforcement on the grounds that it harms public safety.
Local policies that protect immigrants from ICE have economic benefits for all.
When residents trust local officials, they participate more in the local economy. Data shows that household income is higher and the poverty rate is lower in places that do not divert resources for ICE’s agenda.
Other states have passed legislation to keep local resources out of federal immigration enforcement.
New York should follow other states who recognize the importance of protecting immigrant residents. New Jersey, Washington, and California already have state-wide sanctuary policies or legislation, and New York City has strong citywide policies to keep police and other agencies out of ICE’s agenda.
Refusing to enable ICE cruelty can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
When local authorities conspire with ICE, they funnel people into ICE detention facilities that are COVID-19 hotspots. COVID-19 spreads disastrously within jails and prisons, posing a risk to the broader community as well. This risk is especially high in ICE detention centers, because ICE regularly transfers people across the country. By stopping collaboration between ICE and local police, New York can help mitigate the threat of COVID-19.
Learn more about the New York For All Act here.
This information is provided by the NYCLU.
