Hochul’s anti-ICE Policies Risk Importing Minneapolis Chaos to New York
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to curtail cooperation between state and local law enforcement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is drawing sharp criticism, with observers warning it could replicate the unrest seen in minneapolis. The move, unveiled last week, includes proposals to end agreements allowing local police to assist in immigration enforcement, fueling accusations that Hochul is prioritizing political gain over public safety.
The core of the controversy lies in agreements authorized by the 1996 immigration-reform law — specifically Section 287(g) — and utilized by both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Thes agreements empower local law enforcement to initiate immigration enforcement actions within jails and prisons, and, through “task force†agreements, to collaborate with ICE during routine duties like traffic stops. As one analyst noted, this collaboration allows police to effectively hand over individuals to ICE custody, avoiding potentially volatile street-level apprehensions that can incite resistance from anti-ICE groups.
“It lets police help ICE get bad guys out of local neighborhoods—an entirely appropriate role for local cops,†the source text states, “and one that would avoid dangerous, uncontrolled attempts to apprehend criminal illegal immigrants on the streets.â€
The system has demonstrably worked in counties like Nassau, led by Executive Bruce Blakeman, a vocal supporter of the agreements. According to reports, Nassau County and four others participating in similar programs have not experienced the “Minnesota-style chaos†that Hochul ostensibly seeks to prevent.
However, Hochul’s proposals go further than simply restricting task force agreements. Critics argue she is deliberately creating conditions that will force ICE to deploy larger numbers of agents to apprehend individuals without local assistance, thereby increasing the likelihood of public confrontations. A senior official stated that Hochul’s actions appear to be “a conscious effort to force ICE to bring in large numbers of agents…and thus make Minneapolis-style conflicts with the public more likely.â€
To mitigate this risk, advocates suggest Hochul should encourage localities to honour ICE detainers — requests to hold individuals for potential deportation — and directly transfer lawbreaking non-citizens to ICE custody. Last week, Tom Homan, a former ICE director dispatched to Minneapolis to address escalating issues, emphasized that ICE does not require local police to conduct immigration enforcement. “ICE doesn’t want or need police to carry out immigration-law enforcement,†Homan reportedly said. “It just needs the criminals to be handed over in the safety and security of a jail or prison.â€
Adding fuel to the fire, Hochul’s rhetoric has been described as inflammatory. She has invoked the Founding Fathers, likened former President Trump’s immigration policies to tyranny, and made unsubstantiated claims about ICE operating without warrants — despite existing legal safeguards. In a particularly contentious moment, she alleged that individuals were being “rounded up just because of the color of their skin.â€
The timing of these proposals,which are set to expire in 2029,has also raised eyebrows. Manny believe Hochul is strategically positioning herself against Blakeman, her Republican gubernatorial opponent, and preemptively addressing a potential primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Anthony Delgado and his progressive allies within the Working Families party.
Ultimately, the question remains whether Hochul’s actions are driven by genuine concern for public safety or by political calculation. If her policies lead to increased violence and unrest in New York,as critics fear,she will bear a significant share of the responsibility. encouraging cooperation with ICE and honoring immigration detainers remain the most pragmatic steps toward maintaining order and ensuring the safety of New York communities.
