Hochul's Strategy to Block ICE Expansion in New York
By Editor • September 14, 2026 • 2 min read
In a bold move against federal immigration enforcement, Governor Kathy Hochul has outlined a strategy for local governments in New York to impede the expansion plans of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter delivered to local officials, Hochul emphasized the use of zoning and state environmental regulations as tools to prevent ICE from establishing or enlarging detention facilities within their jurisdictions.
“We need localities focused on keeping our communities safe, which depends upon the efforts of local law enforcement, civil servants, and regulators,” Hochul stated in her correspondence, which was exclusively obtained by Playbook. Her administration's latest effort is part of a broader initiative to resist President Trump’s aggressive deportation tactics, which have included proposals for new facilities across New York.
Legal Framework to Combat ICE
The letter from Hochul follows a series of legislative measures agreed upon by New York lawmakers in May, designed explicitly to counteract the Trump administration's immigration policies. These measures include requirements for heightened public notice and multiple public hearings before any expansion or construction of immigration detention facilities can occur. Additionally, local governments are barred from offering financial incentives to support such facilities.
Local Government Response and ICE's Plans
This year, local officials have raised alarms regarding ICE's attempts to bolster its detention capacity, particularly in Batavia, Newburgh, and Rochester. In a summer letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Hochul sought clarity on ICE's intentions for New York. The response indicated that while no detention facility is currently established in Rochester, the agency is exploring bedspace expansion in Batavia and is in the process of identifying a new facility in the Hudson Valley.
As Hochul's administration works to safeguard communities from federal immigration actions, city officials like Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Attorney General Letitia James are also taking steps to challenge new federal regulations that could adversely affect lawful immigrants. Their efforts highlight a growing resistance to federal immigration enforcement tactics that many believe threaten public safety and well-being in New York.
Source: www.politico.com
