New York Assembly approves budget bill that limits local cooperation with ICE and adds immigrant protections

The New York State Assembly on May 21 approved a budget bill that bundles immigration policy changes with public-safety and other government provisions, voting 93–47 to advance the measure.

Sponsor Katarzyna Cruz, answering floor questions, said the immigration language was intended to stop local and state agencies from using taxpayer-funded resources for civil immigration enforcement and to prevent the deputizing of local law enforcement into federal immigration roles. “What the state is doing is ensuring that we are not using taxpayer dollars to enforce federal law,” Cruz said, adding that the bill does not prevent law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities in criminal matters or when there is a judicial warrant.

Supporters — including the chair of the Assembly task force on new Americans — said the package includes long-sought measures such as ‘Dignity Not Detention,’ limits on 287(g)-style agreements and an immigrant-trust office in the Attorney General’s office to enforce the new rules. “This package includes many of the task force priorities,” the task force chair said, arguing the steps would reduce fear among immigrant families and protect access to schools, hospitals and houses of worship.

Opponents raised concerns about home rule, operational impacts and the absence of a comprehensive financial plan for the multi-bill budget package. “We are still waiting for a financial plan,” said Representative Paul Masano during questioning; he argued the Assembly should have the fiscal picture before approving major policy changes embedded in the budget.

On enforcement and remedies, sponsors said the bill sets a retroactive effective date for civil remedies tied to certain constitutional violations (January 1, 2025) and creates a cause of action allowing victims to seek relief in state courts. Cruz said the Attorney General could investigate patterns of unlawful cooperation and pursue appropriate legal responses, while judicial warrants would remain a route for federal authorities to act.

The measure also contains carve-outs and clarifications: one-off communications with federal officials by law-enforcement officers for legitimate criminal matters would not automatically be treated as a prohibited pattern; corrections facilities retain existing practices tied to post-sentence transfers; and specific exemptions and training requirements were promised by sponsors to avoid unintended consequences.

Supporters framed the package as a public-safety measure that strengthens trust between immigrant communities and local institutions; critics said it constrains local law enforcement options and raises legal and fiscal questions that may prompt litigation. After extended debate, the clerk recorded the roll call and announced that the bill passed. The package takes effect immediately unless otherwise specified in statutory text.

The Assembly also adopted a series of unrelated resolutions and adjourned until the next scheduled call of the Speaker.