New York allows migrants to sue ICE agents for rights violations

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a new law that empowers migrants to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for alleged violations of their rights. Included in the fiscal year 2027 budget, the legislation aims to provide a legal recourse for individuals who believe their rights have been infringed upon by federal immigration authorities.

The governor's office stated that while reporting state and local officials was previously possible, legal actions against federal officers were significantly limited. This new law seeks to hold immigration agents accountable for "abuses of power or overstepping their duties." Hochul emphasized that "flagrant abuses of power by ICE will not be tolerated in New York" and expressed hope that this legislation might inspire similar rules in other states.

Beyond the ability to sue, the new measures introduce several limitations on police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. State and local officials, as well as school employees, are now prohibited from granting immigration authorities access to non-public areas of state-run facilities without a warrant. Furthermore, ICE agents are barred from wearing masks when interacting with the public, a practice that drew scrutiny during operations in 2025. The law also restricts agents from entering designated "sensitive areas."