A federal judge in Albany refused on November 4, 2026, to suspend New York's restrictions on voluntary cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Fifteen county sheriffs had sought an emergency injunction while their lawsuit proceeds.
The dispute
The state law, enacted in May and effective in August, restricts formal agreements under section 287(g) that authorize local officers to carry out certain federal immigration duties. The sheriffs argue that the restrictions interfere with their authority and federal immigration law. New York says it may decide how its own personnel and resources are used.
The court's decision
U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino denied the preliminary injunction request. Reporting on the decision says the sheriffs face substantial obstacles establishing standing to pursue their claims. The ruling does not finally settle the constitutional dispute; it means the challenged restrictions remain enforceable while litigation continues.
What the decision changes
The ruling does not stop ICE agents from enforcing federal law in New York. It concerns the ability of local departments to voluntarily perform certain federal civil immigration functions. The judge had separately allowed this cooperation restriction to proceed in August while temporarily blocking a different state rule about federal agents' face coverings and identification.
For residents, the practical distinction matters: limits on local participation are not a shield against federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit remains pending and a later ruling could alter the law's operation.
Sources: Bloomberg Law, November 4; Law360, November 4.