Immigrant rights groups gathered in Rochester on Wednesday to urge New York lawmakers to pass the New York For All Act, a bill that would bar local and state agencies from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
If enacted, the bill would prevent law enforcement, school resource officers, and other state agencies from questioning individuals about their immigration status or cooperating with federal enforcement without a judicial warrant. The legislation has failed for four years, facing opposition from Republicans like state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, who argue law enforcement should report all legal violations.
Supporters say the law would protect immigrant communities, while critics believe it could hinder public safety. Meanwhile, ICE arrests have surged 627% since 2024, raising tensions around enforcement policies.
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