New York lawmakers incorporated a sweeping anti‑ICE package into the state budget, banning state and local officials from formal cooperation with the federal agency and prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks outside immigration courtrooms. The move follows high‑profile incidents where masked agents were seen outside court and in public spaces, raising concerns about transparency and civil‑rights enforcement.

Under the agreement, ICE cannot use local jails to detain migrants, search New Yorkers’ homes, hospitals or schools without a judge‑signed warrant, and must coordinate only on public‑safety matters. The package also grants families of those whose rights were violated a new legal avenue for redress, signaling a shift toward state‑level accountability.

Governor Kathy Hochul framed the legislation as a response to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement tactics, citing incidents like the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the tragic case of Nurul Amin Shah Alam. She warned that the state would not tolerate intimidation or family separations, declaring New York a safe haven for immigrants.

Legal challenges loom as Democrats anticipate court battles over the new provisions, while Trump‑era officials threaten forceful responses. The budget inclusion underscores a growing national push to curb federal immigration enforcement through state legislation. If upheld, the measures could reshape the balance of power between state and federal law‑enforcement agencies, affecting how municipalities handle immigration cases.