New York Attorney General Letitia James released updated guidance on how schools and law enforcement should interact with ICE agents. The guidelines emphasize that undocumented status is a civil violation, not a criminal offense. ICE agents need a judge’s warrant before police can assist with arrests or detentions for immigration violations.
Law enforcement cannot delay bail or detain individuals solely on ICE requests without a court order. Schools are similarly required to deny ICE access to students without a judge’s order or parental permission. Schools must also protect students’ privacy and ensure migrant and homeless children are enrolled without barriers.
James warned that violating these guidelines could result in legal consequences for local agencies.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].